Subject vs. Article — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 18, 2024
Subject often refers to the topic or main idea in discourse or study, while an article is a piece of writing included in publications like newspapers or magazines.
Difference Between Subject and Article
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A subject is generally the main idea or theme of a discussion, document, or area of study, which provides the central focus for the content. Whereas, an article is a specific type of written work, typically found in periodicals, newspapers, or online platforms, often focusing on particular events, ideas, or topics.
Subject is integral to the organization of knowledge across various fields, such as in education and research, helping to categorize and systemize information. On the other hand, articles serve as a medium to convey news, research findings, or opinions, and are often bound by the style and editorial guidelines of the publication in which they appear.
In academic contexts, the subject of a thesis or research paper determines the scope and direction of the study. Whereas articles, particularly scholarly articles, are usually a detailed exposition on aspects of the main subject, aiming to add to the academic discourse surrounding that subject.
Subjects can be broad and encompassing, such as "history" or "science," directing the general area of inquiry or discussion. Articles, however, are more specific in nature, dealing with individual aspects or issues within a broader subject, such as a historical event or a scientific discovery.
Subjects often remain relatively constant and thematic in academic and intellectual discussions. In contrast, articles can vary greatly in content, tone, and purpose, ranging from informative and analytical to persuasive and critical.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Main idea or theme of discussion
A piece of writing in a publication
Context
Broad fields like education, debate
Newspapers, journals, magazines
Purpose
Categorize and organize information
Inform, argue, or discuss specific points
Scope
Can be broad or specific
Generally specific to certain events or ideas
Variability
Consistent in thematic focus
Varies in content, tone, and purpose
Compare with Definitions
Subject
The predicate's partner in a sentence, performing the action.
In the sentence The cat sleeps, 'the cat' is the subject.
Article
A piece of non-fiction writing on a specific topic.
He wrote an article on renewable energy.
Subject
The topic under discussion or study.
The subject of the seminar is climate change.
Article
A part of a legal or official document.
Article 3 of the Constitution discusses the judiciary.
Subject
Under the authority or control of another.
The territories were long subject to a foreign power.
Article
An individual item or separate thing, especially one of a specified type.
This store sells rare articles of clothing.
Subject
A person or thing being discussed or described.
She was the subject of many rumors.
Article
A clause or item in terms of agreement.
The contract's articles were negotiated thoroughly.
Subject
A branch of knowledge studied or taught.
Mathematics is a challenging subject for many students.
Article
In grammar, a word used to modify a noun, which is typically an indefinite or definite article.
An and the are the most commonly used articles in English.
Subject
A person or thing that is being discussed, described, or dealt with
I've said all there is to be said on the subject
He's the subject of a major new biography
Article
A particular item or object
Small household articles
Articles of clothing
Subject
A branch of knowledge studied or taught in a school, college, or university
Maths is not my best subject
Article
A piece of writing included with others in a newspaper, magazine, or other publication
An article about middle-aged executives
Subject
A member of a state other than its ruler, especially one owing allegiance to a monarch or other supreme ruler
The legislation is applicable only to British subjects
Article
A separate clause or paragraph of a legal document or agreement, typically one outlining a single rule or regulation
It is an offence under Article 7 of the Treaty
Subject
A noun or noun phrase functioning as one of the main components of a clause, being the element about which the rest of the clause is predicated.
Article
A period of training with a firm as a solicitor, architect, surveyor, or accountant
It may be worth taking articles in a specialized firm
He is already in articles
Subject
A thinking or feeling entity; the conscious mind; the ego, especially as opposed to anything external to the mind.
Article
The definite or indefinite article.
Subject
Likely or prone to be affected by (a particular condition or occurrence, typically an unwelcome or unpleasant one)
He was subject to bouts of manic depression
Article
Bind (a trainee solicitor, architect, surveyor, or accountant) to undergo a period of training with a firm in order to become qualified
He was articled to a firm of solicitors in York
Subject
Dependent or conditional upon
The proposed merger is subject to the approval of the shareholders
Article
An individual thing or element of a class; a particular object or item
An article of clothing.
Articles of food.
Subject
Under the authority of
Ministers are subject to the laws of the land
Article
A particular section or item of a series in a written document, as in a contract, constitution, or treaty.
Subject
Conditionally upon
Subject to the EC's agreement, we intend to set up an enterprise zone in the area
Article
A nonfictional literary composition that forms an independent part of a publication, as of a newspaper or magazine.
Subject
Cause or force someone or something to undergo (a particular experience or form of treatment, typically an unwelcome or unpleasant one)
He'd subjected her to a terrifying ordeal
Article
The part of speech used to indicate nouns and to specify their application.
Subject
Bring (a person or country) under one's control or jurisdiction, typically by using force
The city had been subjected to Macedonian rule
Article
Any of the words belonging to this part of speech. In English, the indefinite articles are a and an and the definite article is the.
Subject
Being in a position or in circumstances that place one under the power or authority of another or others
Subject to the law.
Article
A particular part or subject; a specific matter or point.
Subject
Prone; disposed
A child who is subject to colds.
Article
To bind by articles set forth in a contract, such as one of apprenticeship.
Subject
Likely to incur or receive; exposed
A directive subject to misinterpretation.
Article
A piece of nonfictional writing such as a story, report, opinion piece, or entry in a newspaper, magazine, journal, dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.
Subject
Contingent or dependent
A vacation subject to changing weather.
Article
An object, a member of a group or class.
An article of clothing
A sales article
Subject
One who is under the rule of another or others, especially one who owes allegiance to a government or ruler.
Article
(grammar) A part of speech that indicates, specifies and limits a noun (a, an, or the in English). In some languages the article may appear as an ending (e.g. definite article in Swedish) or there may be none (e.g. Russian, Pashto).
Subject
One concerning which something is said or done; a person or thing being discussed or dealt with
A subject of gossip.
Article
A section of a legal document, bylaws, etc. or, in the plural, the entire document seen as a collection of these.
The Articles of War are a set of regulations...to govern the conduct of...military...forces
Subject
Something that is treated or indicated in a work of art.
Article
A genuine article.
Subject
(Music) A theme of a composition, especially a fugue.
Article
A part or segment of something joined to other parts, or, in combination, forming a structured set.
Each of the chelicerae is composed of two articles, forming a powerful pincer.
Subject
A course or area of study
Math is her best subject.
Article
A person; an individual.
A shrewd article
Subject
A basis for action; a cause.
Article
(archaic) A wench.
She's a prime article (whip slang), she's a devilish good piece, a hell of a goer.
Subject
One that experiences or is subjected to something
The subject of ridicule.
Article
(dated) Subject matter; concern.
Subject
A person or animal that is the object of medical or scientific study
The experiment involved 12 subjects.
Article
(dated) A distinct part.
Subject
A corpse intended for anatomical study and dissection.
Article
(obsolete) A precise point in time; a moment.
Subject
One who is under surveillance
The subject was observed leaving the scene of the murder.
Article
(transitive) To bind by articles of apprenticeship.
To article an apprentice to a mechanic
Subject
(Grammar) The noun, noun phrase, or pronoun in a sentence or clause that denotes the doer of the action or what is described by the predicate.
Article
(obsolete) To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles or accusations.
Subject
(Logic) The term of a proposition about which something is affirmed or denied.
Article
To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.
Subject
The mind or thinking part as distinguished from the object of thought.
Article
A distinct portion of an instrument, discourse, literary work, or any other writing, consisting of two or more particulars, or treating of various topics; as, an article in the Constitution. Hence: A clause in a contract, system of regulations, treaty, or the like; a term, condition, or stipulation in a contract; a concise statement; as, articles of agreement.
Subject
A being that undergoes personal conscious or unconscious experience of itself and of the world.
Article
A literary composition, forming an independent portion of a magazine, newspaper, or cyclopedia.
Subject
The essential nature or substance of something as distinguished from its attributes.
Article
Subject; matter; concern; distinct.
A very great revolution that happened in this article of good breeding.
This last article will hardly be believed.
Subject
To cause to experience, undergo, or be acted upon
Suspects subjected to interrogation.
Rocks subjected to intense pressure.
Article
A distinct part.
The articles which compose the blood.
Subject
To subjugate; subdue.
Article
A particular one of various things; as, an article of merchandise; salt is a necessary article.
They would fight not for articles of faith, but for articles of food.
Subject
To submit to the authority of
Peoples that subjected themselves to the emperor.
Article
Precise point of time; moment.
This fatal news coming to Hick's Hall upon the article of my Lord Russell's trial, was said to have had no little influence on the jury and all the bench to his prejudice.
Subject
Likely to be affected by or to experience something.
A country subject to extreme heat
Menu listings and prices are subject to change.
He's subject to sneezing fits.
Article
One of the three words, a, an, the, used before nouns to limit or define their application. A (or an) is called the indefinite article, the the definite article.
Subject
Conditional upon something; used with to.
The local board sets local policy, subject to approval from the State Board.
Article
One of the segments of an articulated appendage.
Subject
Placed or situated under; lying below, or in a lower situation.
Article
To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.
If all his errors and follies were articled against him, the man would seem vicious and miserable.
Subject
Placed under the power of another; owing allegiance to a particular sovereign or state.
Article
To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles.
He shall be articled against in the high court of admiralty.
Subject
(grammar) In a clause: the word or word group (usually a noun phrase) about whom the statement is made. In active clauses with verbs denoting an action, the subject and the actor are usually the same.
In the sentence ‘The cat ate the mouse’, ‘the cat’ is the subject, ‘the mouse’ being the object.
Article
To bind by articles of covenant or stipulation; as, to article an apprentice to a mechanic.
Subject
An actor; one who takes action.
The subjects and objects of power.
Article
To agree by articles; to stipulate; to bargain; to covenant.
Then he articled with her that he should go away when he pleased.
Subject
The main topic of a paper, work of art, discussion, field of study, etc.
Article
Nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
Subject
A particular area of study.
Her favorite subject is physics.
Article
One of a class of artifacts;
An article of clothing
Subject
A citizen in a monarchy.
I am a British subject.
Article
A separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will)
Subject
A person ruled over by another, especially a monarch or state authority.
Article
(grammar) a determiner that may indicate the specificity of reference of a noun phrase
Subject
(music) The main theme or melody, especially in a fugue.
Article
Bind by a contract; especially for a training period
Subject
A human, animal or an inanimate object that is being examined, treated, analysed, etc.
Subject
(philosophy) A being that has subjective experiences, subjective consciousness, or a relationship with another entity.
Subject
(logic) That of which something is stated.
Subject
(math) The variable in terms of which an expression is defined.
0, we have x
Subject
To cause (someone or something) to undergo a particular experience, especially one that is unpleasant or unwanted.
I came here to buy souvenirs, not to be subjected to a tirade of abuse!
Subject
(transitive) To make subordinate or subservient; to subdue or enslave.
Subject
Placed or situated under; lying below, or in a lower situation.
Subject
Placed under the power of another; specifically (International Law), owing allegiance to a particular sovereign or state; as, Jamaica is subject to Great Britain.
Esau was never subject to Jacob.
Subject
Exposed; liable; prone; disposed; as, a country subject to extreme heat; men subject to temptation.
All human things are subject to decay.
Subject
Obedient; submissive.
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities.
Subject
That which is placed under the authority, dominion, control, or influence of something else.
Subject
Specifically: One who is under the authority of a ruler and is governed by his laws; one who owes allegiance to a sovereign or a sovereign state; as, a subject of Queen Victoria; a British subject; a subject of the United States.
Was never subject longed to be a king,As I do long and wish to be a subject.
The subject must obey his prince, because God commands it, human laws require it.
Subject
That which is subjected, or submitted to, any physical operation or process; specifically (Anat.), a dead body used for the purpose of dissection.
Subject
That which is brought under thought or examination; that which is taken up for discussion, or concerning which anything is said or done.
Make choice of a subject, beautiful and noble, which . . . shall afford an ample field of matter wherein to expatiate.
The unhappy subject of these quarrels.
Subject
The person who is treated of; the hero of a piece; the chief character.
Writers of particular lives . . . are apt to be prejudiced in favor of their subject.
Subject
That of which anything is affirmed or predicated; the theme of a proposition or discourse; that which is spoken of; as, the nominative case is the subject of the verb.
The subject of a proposition is that concerning which anything is affirmed or denied.
Subject
That in which any quality, attribute, or relation, whether spiritual or material, inheres, or to which any of these appertain; substance; substratum.
That which manifests its qualities - in other words, that in which the appearing causes inhere, that to which they belong - is called their subject or substance, or substratum.
Subject
The principal theme, or leading thought or phrase, on which a composition or a movement is based.
The earliest known form of subject is the ecclesiastical cantus firmus, or plain song.
Subject
The incident, scene, figure, group, etc., which it is the aim of the artist to represent.
Subject
To bring under control, power, or dominion; to make subject; to subordinate; to subdue.
Firmness of mind that subjects every gratification of sense to the rule of right reason.
In one short view subjected to our eye,Gods, emperors, heroes, sages, beauties, lie.
He is the most subjected, the most nslaved, who is so in his understanding.
Subject
To expose; to make obnoxious or liable; as, credulity subjects a person to impositions.
Subject
To submit; to make accountable.
God is not bound to subject his ways of operation to the scrutiny of our thoughts.
Subject
To make subservient.
Subjected to his service angel wings.
Subject
To cause to undergo; as, to subject a substance to a white heat; to subject a person to a rigid test.
Subject
The subject matter of a conversation or discussion;
He didn't want to discuss that subject
It was a very sensitive topic
His letters were always on the theme of love
Subject
Some situation or event that is thought about;
He kept drifting off the topic
He had been thinking about the subject for several years
It is a matter for the police
Subject
A branch of knowledge;
In what discipline is his doctorate?
Teachers should be well trained in their subject
Anthropology is the study of human beings
Subject
Something (a person or object or scene) selected by an artist or photographer for graphic representation;
A moving picture of a train is more dramatic than a still picture of the same subject
Subject
A person who is subjected to experimental or other observational procedures; someone who is an object of investigation;
The subjects for this investigation were selected randomly
The cases that we studied were drawn from two different communities
Subject
A person who owes allegiance to that nation;
A monarch has a duty to his subjects
Subject
(grammar) one of the two main constituents of a sentence; the grammatical constituent about which something is predicated
Subject
(logic) the first term of a proposition
Subject
Cause to experience or suffer or make liable or vulnerable to;
He subjected me to his awful poetry
The sergeant subjected the new recruits to many drills
People in Chernobyl were subjected to radiation
Subject
Make accountable for;
He did not want to subject himself to the judgments of his superiors
Subject
Make subservient; force to submit or subdue
Subject
Refer for judgment or consideration;
She submitted a proposal to the agency
Subject
Not exempt from tax;
The gift will be subject to taxation
Subject
Possibly accepting or permitting;
A passage capable of misinterpretation
Open to interpretation
An issue open to question
The time is fixed by the director and players and therefore subject to much variation
Subject
Being under the power or sovereignty of another or others;
Subject peoples
A dependent prince
Common Curiosities
What is the primary focus of a subject?
The primary focus of a subject is to provide a central theme or main idea around which content is organized.
What types of articles are there?
There are news articles, feature articles, opinion pieces, research articles, and review articles, among others.
Is the subject always apparent in a piece of writing?
Typically, the subject should be clear, as it guides the content and focus of the writing.
How does an article differ from other forms of writing?
An article is specifically tailored for publication in newspapers, magazines, or online, often adhering to journalistic or academic standards.
What distinguishes a scholarly article?
A scholarly article is characterized by detailed research, citation of sources, and an objective tone aimed at an academic audience.
Are articles reviewed before publication?
Most articles, especially in professional or academic settings, undergo a peer-review or editorial review process before publication.
What role do subjects play in research?
Subjects determine the framework and focus of research, guiding the methodology and interpretation of results.
How important is the subject in academic writing?
In academic writing, the subject is crucial as it defines the scope and the direction of research and discussion.
How do subjects impact the structure of educational curriculums?
Subjects form the foundation of educational curriculums, defining what is taught, how it is organized, and assessed.
How do subjects and articles interact in academic journals?
In academic journals, articles explore specific aspects of broader subjects, contributing to the overall academic discourse on the topic.
Can the term 'subject' apply to multiple fields?
Yes, the term 'subject' applies broadly across various disciplines, from education to formal debate.
Can an article change public opinion?
Articles, particularly opinion pieces or investigative journalism, can significantly influence public opinion.
How specific can a subject be?
A subject can be very broad, like "science," or specific, like "quantum mechanics," depending on the context.
Can anyone write an article?
Yes, anyone can write an article, but publishing in professional or academic venues typically requires adherence to certain standards and review processes.
What should a good article include?
A good article should have a clear focus, be well-researched, and include supporting details and analysis to engage the reader.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
