running theme

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable

   An idea, subject or image that keeps appearing again and again throughout a work or a long conversation.

   Grammar: Often used with an or the, and followed by in or of: a running theme in her novels.

   Patterns

   • a running theme in something
   • a running theme of something
   • a running theme throughout something

   Loneliness is a running theme in his poetry.

   Money problems were a running theme throughout the family's conversations.

   The film has a running theme of second chances.

Word forms

Common combinations

a running theme throughout

Friendship is a running theme throughout the series.

a recurring running theme

Betrayal remains a running theme for the whole trilogy.

a running theme in the book

Memory is a running theme in the book.

identify a running theme

Students were asked to identify a running theme in the play.

become a running theme

Bad weather became a running theme of our holiday.

Synonyms and how they differ

motif

A motif is a specific repeated image, sound or pattern, while a running theme is a broader repeated idea.

recurring theme

This is almost identical in meaning, but recurring stresses coming back, whereas running suggests it flows continuously through.

leitmotif

Leitmotif is a more specialist word, originally from music, for a repeated element tied to a person or idea.

thread

A thread is a looser word for any connecting element, and is often used for plot or argument.

Opposites

Word family

theme noun

the central idea of a work

thematic adjective

relating to a theme

thematically adverb

in a way that relates to a theme

run verb

to extend or continue through something, as in a theme runs through the story

Commonly confused: running theme or running gag?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “running theme”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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