Topic subject

Question

What does "topic subject" mean?as far as I concerned, topic means "The subject which is discussed".and "subject" means the same "The thing which is being discussed".what are the differences when we say?:These words alone1) topic 2) subject and3) topic subject (likely give the meaning "title" to me)Thanks for any kind explanation.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

There's no real difference. Possibly 'topic' may sound a little more general in tone.

The phrase 'topic subject' just sounds wrong to me.

Clive

BillJ · Answer

SarunnioWhat does "topic subject" mean?as far as I concerned, topic means "The subject which is discussed".and "subject" means the same "The thing which is being discussed".what are the differences when we say?:These words alone1) topic 2) subject and3) topic subject (likely give the meaning "title" to me)

Subject and topic mean different things:

In "Paris is lovely in the spring", for example, it is natural to take the subject as expressing the topic, and in "Spring is a great time to visit Paris", we would be inclined to say that the subject "spring" is the topic; but there are instances where it it would be completely implausible to take the subject to be a topic:

"Something is wrong with this disk drive"

Here, the subject is "something", but it would be nonsensical to suggest that "something" tells us what the topic is. The topic is obviously the disk drive, and the comment is that it has a fault.

"It's time these kids were in bed"

Here, the subject "It" is a dummy pronoun with no identifiable meaning. It can't possibly pick out the topic.

BillJ

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