were rarely subject of research vs were rarely the subject of research

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Were rarely subject of research' is more general and can be used when referring to a broad range of topics that were not often researched. 'Were rarely the subject of research' is more specific and is used when referring to a particular subject or group of subjects that were not frequently studied.

Last updated: March 17, 2024 • 879 views

This phrase is correct but less specific than the alternative.

"were rarely subject of research"

This phrase can be used when talking about a general lack of research on various topics.

Examples:

Historical events were rarely subject of research in that academic institution.
Literature from that period was rarely subject of research until recently.

Alternatives:

were rarely the subject of research
were seldom the subject of research
were infrequently the subject of research
were hardly the subject of research
were scarcely the subject of research

This phrase is more specific and commonly used when referring to a particular subject or group of subjects.

"were rarely the subject of research"

This phrase is used to highlight the lack of research on a specific topic or group of topics.

Examples:

The indigenous cultures of that region were rarely the subject of research in the past.
Certain diseases were rarely the subject of research until breakthroughs were made.

Show examples from the web [+]

Oct 11, 1987 ... and children (Gordon 1996; Jackson 2001; Silberschmidt 2001). Unlike women, men were rarely the subject of research on gender in Africa.

Alternatives:

were rarely subject of research
were seldom the subject of research
were infrequently the subject of research
were hardly the subject of research
were scarcely the subject of research

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were rarely subject of research vs were rarely the subject of research

"were rarely subject of research"

"were rarely the subject of research"

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