Academic / B1

s-uh-b-JEKT-iv/səbˈdʒektɪv/

Subjective means based on personal feeling: a subjective opinion; marking can be subjective; highly subjective. Objective is the opposite (based on facts). Subject as a noun is a school topic or a person in an experiment — different. IELTS Writing wants reasons and examples, not only “I feel”. Do not write “subjective facts” — facts are the objective side.

Meaning

Based on personal feelings or opinions rather than facts.

Examples

• “Marking writing can be subjective, so examiners use a clear band descriptor.”
• “Taste in music is subjective, but noise at 2 a.m. is still a nuisance.”
• “Use the band descriptors so that scoring is less subjective.”

Good to know

a subjective view / judgement. Opposite: objective. School topic: subject (noun). Not “subjective facts”. Noun: subjectivity.

Near in meaning

personal

Topics

New