Subject Meaning
Subject Definition & Usage
A person or thing that is being discussed, studied, or dealt with.
Examples
- "The subject of the meeting was the new marketing strategy."
- "The teacher asked the students to write an essay on their favorite subject."
- "Her research focuses on the subject of artificial intelligence."
- "The subject of the debate was climate change."
- "The subject of the conversation quickly shifted to the weather."
A branch of knowledge or area of study, especially one that is taught in schools or universities.
Examples
- "Mathematics is his favorite subject."
- "She decided to major in the subject of philosophy."
- "They offer a wide range of subjects at the university."
- "Literature is a subject that challenges students to think critically."
- "The subject of biology has always intrigued him."
A person who is under the control or authority of another, especially in terms of law or governance.
Examples
- "The king's subjects were expected to pay taxes."
- "The citizens are subject to the laws of the land."
- "In a monarchy, the subjects owe loyalty to the ruler."
- "Subjects of the country protested against the government's new policies."
- "The army was ordered to suppress any rebellion among the subjects."
A grammatical entity, typically the noun or pronoun, that performs the action of the verb in a sentence.
Examples
- "In the sentence 'The dog barked loudly,' 'The dog' is the subject."
- "Identify the subject of the sentence: 'John went to the store.'"
- "The teacher explained how to identify the subject and predicate in a sentence."
- "She struggled to understand the difference between the subject and the object in a sentence."
- "They asked the students to underline the subject in each sentence."
A topic or theme explored in literature, art, or other forms of creative expression.
Examples
- "The subject of the painting is a tranquil landscape."
- "Her novel tackles the subject of love and loss."
- "The subject of the artist's work is often human suffering."
- "He used nature as the subject for his poetry."
- "The documentary explored the subject of poverty in urban areas."
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion.
Examples
- "She wanted to subject the group to a debate on ethics."
- "They subjected the proposal to further scrutiny."
- "The manager will subject the employees to a performance review next week."
- "The lawyer subjected the witness to a thorough cross-examination."
- "In the meeting, he subjected the audience to a detailed explanation of the project."
To make someone or something experience a particular condition, usually one that is unpleasant or difficult.
Examples
- "The prisoners were subjected to harsh conditions."
- "The patients were subjected to several rounds of testing."
- "The soldiers were subjected to extreme physical training."
- "She was subjected to unfair treatment during the investigation."
- "The animals in the experiment were subjected to various stimuli."
Cultural Context
The word 'subject' originates from the Latin 'subiectus,' meaning 'lying beneath' or 'subordinate.' Over time, it has evolved into a variety of meanings in different contexts, including education, governance, and language.
The Great Debate
Story
The Great Debate
In a small university town, students were preparing for the annual debate competition. One of the participants, Emily, was a skilled debater known for her ability to handle a variety of subjects. This year, however, she was faced with a new challenge – the topic of AI and ethics. As she sat with her teammate, Jake, they discussed their approach. "We need to be prepared to subject ourselves to intense scrutiny," Emily said, flipping through her notes. "AI is a sensitive subject, and people will challenge our ideas on every front." Jake nodded, pointing to the paper. "I'm sure we can handle it. The subject of ethics has been debated for centuries. This won’t be any different." The night of the competition arrived, and the audience gathered to watch the teams. Emily and Jake were the first to present their arguments. Emily took the stage confidently. "The subject of artificial intelligence is not just a technological issue," she began, "but a societal one." As the debate continued, their opponents subjected their arguments to tough criticism, but Emily remained calm and composed. She knew that the subject was complex and required careful consideration of all angles. By the end of the night, they had won, largely due to their ability to address every possible objection and to subject themselves to critical thinking at every turn. After the event, Emily and Jake sat down at the local café. "You know, I think we handled the subject better than I expected," Emily said with a smile. "Absolutely," Jake agreed. "It’s funny how a subject can seem so intimidating until you really dive into it." The story of Emily and Jake's victory in the debate serves as a testament to the different meanings of 'subject.' It can refer to an area of study, a theme of discussion, or even the act of being subjected to scrutiny – all of which were important in this competition.
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