What is topic? Pronunciation and usage in English

topic means . Learn how to pronounce and use topic through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of topic

topicnoun

/ˈtɒpɪk/
Definition & pronunciation of topic

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "topic" in English! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables: "Topic" has two syllables:

  • top (like the word "top" of a table)
  • -ic (like the word "magic")

2. Pronunciation:

  • "Top": Say "top" as you would in the word "top." It’s a short, clear "t" sound followed by "op."
  • "-ic": This syllable is a bit trickier. It's pronounced like the word "magic." It’s a short “i” sound followed by a “k” sound.

3. Together:

Put it all together, and you get: TOH-pik

Here's a breakdown with sounds:

  • /tɒpɪk/ (This is the phonetic transcription - the standard way to represent pronunciation in writing)

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("top").
  • Don't over-elongate: Both syllables should be relatively short.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. You can easily find audio pronunciations on:

Would you like me to:

  • Say the word for you?
  • Give you more examples of words with similar pronunciations?

Usage and examples with the word topic in English

Let's break down how to use the word "topic" in English. It's a really versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its different uses, with examples:

1. As a Noun (the most common use):

  • Meaning: A subject or theme that is being discussed or written about. It's the central idea.
  • Examples:
    • "Let's talk about the topic of climate change." (The subject is climate change)
    • "The topic of the presentation was global warming." (Global warming was the subject)
    • "I'm researching a topic for my essay – ancient Egypt." (Ancient Egypt is the subject)
    • "This chapter explores the topic of artificial intelligence." (Artificial intelligence is the focus)

2. As a Verb (less common, but important):

  • Meaning: To bring up or mention a subject.
  • Examples:
    • "Can we topic the issue of overtime pay?" (Can we bring up the issue of overtime pay?)
    • "She topped the conversation on politics." (She started the conversation about politics.)
    • "Don't topic controversial subjects at dinner." (Don’t bring up controversial topics at dinner).

3. Phrases Using "Topic":

  • "Topic of discussion": The subject being discussed. "The topic of discussion was the new company policy."
  • "Topic of debate": The subject being argued over. “The topic of debate is whether to invest in renewable energy.”
  • "Topic sentence": (In writing) The sentence that introduces the main idea of a paragraph. "The topic sentence of this paragraph is that pollution is a serious problem."
  • "Raise a topic": To introduce a subject. “I wanted to raise the topic of my concerns about the project.”
  • "Change the topic": To shift the subject of a conversation. “Let’s change the topic – I don’t want to talk about that.”
  • "On the topic of...": Used to introduce a subject that’s related to what you were previously talking about. “On the topic of travel, have you ever been to Japan?”

4. Contextual Uses & Nuances:

  • Formal vs. Informal: "Topic" is generally a fairly neutral word. It’s suitable for most situations.
  • Brainstorming: "Let's brainstorm some topics for our project."
  • Meetings/Presentations: “What’s the topic of the agenda for this meeting?”

Here's a table summarizing the key uses:

Use Part of Speech Meaning Example
Subject Noun The central subject being discussed "The topic is the economy."
Introduce Verb To bring up a subject "Let's topic the budget."
Phrases Noun/Verb Related phrases with “topic” “Topic of discussion…”

Tips for Using "Topic" Correctly:

  • Be clear about what you’re referring to: Make sure it’s obvious what the “topic” is.
  • Consider synonyms: Sometimes “subject,” “theme,” “issue,” or “matter” might be a better fit depending on the context.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you using "topic" in? (e.g., writing an essay, having a conversation, giving a presentation?)
  • Can you give me a sentence you're struggling with that includes "topic"?

Synonyms for the word topic

Idioms of the word topic

off topic
not appropriate or relevant to the situation
  • That comment is completely off topic.
  • He keeps veering off topic.
on topic
appropriate or relevant to the situation
  • Keep the text short and on topic.
  • Let's get back on topic.

Practice with vocabulary topic

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The primary _____ of discussion at the conference was sustainable energy solutions.
  2. Before concluding, the committee addressed several minor _____ that arose during the project review.
  3. Our team needs to select a compelling research _____ for the upcoming academic paper.
  4. The overall _____ of the novel revolved around the struggle for social justice.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers)

  1. When researching for your thesis, what are some potential _____ you might explore? A) ideas B) topics C) subjects D) notions

  2. The instructor asked us to choose a controversial _____ for our argumentative essay. A) argument B) matter C) theme D) topic

  3. The CEO's opening remarks touched upon several key _____ relevant to the company's future strategy. A) issues B) points C) topics D) themes

  4. The _____ of her success lies in her unwavering dedication and meticulous planning. A) core B) essence C) foundation D) element

  5. The project's _____ include a detailed market analysis and a financial projection. A) goals B) objectives C) deliverables D) milestones

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The primary subject of the upcoming conference will be advancements in artificial intelligence. Rewrite using "topic" or related word forms:

  2. Original: Our team spent the entire afternoon discussing various points related to the marketing campaign. Rewrite using "topic" or related word forms:

  3. Original: The core idea behind the new software is to simplify complex data analysis for users. Rewrite without using "topic" or its related word forms:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The primary topic of discussion at the conference was sustainable energy solutions.
  2. Before concluding, the committee addressed several minor matters that arose during the project review.
  3. Our team needs to select a compelling research topic for the upcoming academic paper.
  4. The overall theme of the novel revolved around the struggle for social justice.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) topics, C) subjects
  2. D) topic
  3. A) issues, B) points, C) topics
  4. A) core, B) essence
  5. C) deliverables

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Advancements in artificial intelligence will be the main topic for the upcoming conference.
  2. The marketing campaign was the central topic of our team's entire afternoon discussion.
  3. The new software's fundamental principle is to simplify complex data analysis for users.

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