This label describes what something is about or in regard to. Contrast Content, which applies to the message or thought itself.¹

A variety of prepositions—including the vast majority of occurrences of about—can mark a Topic. The following subclasses warrant Topic as the scene role:

1. Communication scenes: the content or subject matter of speech, writing, art, performance, etc.#

• I gave a presentation/spoke about/on politics. 001

• They wouldn’t stop arguing over the plan. 002

• I was accused of treason. 003

• a picture of Whistler’s mother 004

• two counts of making false statements 048

• three copies/versions of the test 005

• Topic↝Identity—see discussion at Identity:

  • the topic/issue/question of semantics 006

  • the idea of raising money 007

• The ratings/reviews for this film are atrocious. 008

• I did not hazard a guess as_to the cause. 009

2. Cognition scenes: the content or subject matter of thought and knowledge—belief, opinion, decision, learning, study, interest, expertise, skill, etc.#

• Try not to think about it. 010

• We took a minute to think/ponder over the situation. 011

• I plan on going again. 012

• I am focused on the task at hand. 013

• There is not enough research on the effects of global warming. 014

• She was dumbfounded as_to why the police had done that. 015

• Think of all the possibilities! 016

• I have no memory of the incident. 017

• I am aware of the problem. 018

• You can have your choice of chicken or fish. 019

• I disagree with that statement. 020

• I am familiar with this topic. 021

• Are you interested in politics/going to the party? 022

• I’m confident in your abilities. 023

• My daughter excels in/at sports. 024

• I’m an expert/talented/good at baking cookies. 025

• I wouldn’t hesitate in seeing a doctor. [but see Circumstance#002 under Circumstance, which is syntactically parallel] 026

3. Relations of regard: the entity, issue, or aspect that the governing predicate pertains to. The relation to the governor may be somewhat loose, skirting the boundary between semantics and information structure.#

• Be reasonable with your expectations! 027

• They are transparent with their fee. 028

• The discount should apply with other restaurants too. 029

• I approached the manager about the poor service. [implied communication] 030

• I am a big baby about needles. [implied cognition] 031

• The owner wouldn’t budge on the price. 032

• They came through on all of their promises. 033

• She did not do the right thing for an item that was marked incorrectly. 034

• I’m fast at baking cookies. [cf. #025] 035

• They have almost anything you could want when_it_comes_to/in_terms_of spy and surveillance equipment . 036

A few specific governors merit further discussion:

agree#

• Let us agree on the deal. (Topic) 037

• Let us agree to the deal. (Topic↝Goal) 038

answer, respond, etc.#

• Topic↝Goal:

  • the answer to the question 039

  • my response to your question 040

For respond with and similar, it depends whether the object is an action, a device facilitating communication, or some aspect of transferred information:

• He responded to my kick with a punch. (Means) 041

• He responded to my accusation with a lawsuit. (Means) 042

• He responded to my accusation with dishonest emails. (Instrument) 043

• He responded to my accusation with falsehoods. (Topic) 044

problem with, experience with, etc.#

These are simply Topic:

• There was/We had a problem with mice in the basement. 045

• I have limited experience with numerical methods. 046

• I had a bad experience/my bad experience with a vampire. 047

See also: Stimulus

Counterpart: Experiencer