# Visually Better Mathematic Subscripts

When writing mathematics in LaTeX and text more than a symbol long is placed in subscripts then it is not appeared in a nice way. Especially if the subscript is a whole word.

A better way is to be used inside a \text{} command but although the text itself is better-looking it doesn't match the math font as the one is usually italic and the other is not.

How can I have subscripts with text properties but matching the math font so to make the two indistinguishable?

Also is there a better way to create nice long subscripts?

• Could you provide some examples? – Werner Apr 18 '17 at 23:10
• Well, if the subscript is a word, it should be written with the text font for clarity. If every part of a complex formula looks the same, the formula readily becomes unreadable. That's why French mathematical typography uses \upshape for Greek letters, to have a greater variety in complex formulae. Now if you insist, use \textit. – Bernard Apr 18 '17 at 23:16
• @Werner I don't have any examples I don't even know what the best practices are. – Adam Apr 19 '17 at 18:01
• @Bernard Thanks for that, I didn't know it. I like typography tips :P – Adam Apr 19 '17 at 18:02

Perhaps this solution appeals to you. To »match the math font«, if you like, replace \textnormal{#1} by \textnormal{\textit{#1}}.

\documentclass{article}

{
\catcode"=\active
\gdef"#1{{\textnormal{#1}}}
}
\mathcode"="8000

\begin{document}

$X_"{Hello}$

\end{document}