I conceive to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I conceive to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may lead to confusion. Example: "I conceive to believe that this approach will yield better results."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Not being able to concur in the opinion and judgment of the court in the foregoing cases, I am impelled, by what I conceive to be the serious nature or the questions involved, to state the reasons for my dissent.

Cornell University

"I have a certain conception of what I conceive to be the right relationship between a writer and publisher," said novelist Sherwood Anderson, "a relationship that might be, at its best, a kind of intellectual marriage".

The Guardian - Books

The national supremacy ought also to be extended as I conceive to the Judiciary departments.

University of Chicago

This I conceive to be the chemical function of humor; to change the character of our thought.

Forbes

Such is the present Law of our Nature, which I conceive to be no other than a meer arbitrary Constitution or Establishment of Him that hath made us to be what we are" (Johnson 1752, §3, 3).

SEP

This part of the Constitution, I conceive to be calculated, not only to enhance the expense of the federal government to a degree that will be truely burdensome; but also, to increase that luxury and extravagance, in general, which threatens the ruin of the United States; and that, to which the Eastern States in particular, are wholly unequal.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

So opens "The Violence Project," a show I conceived to dramatize the epidemic of kids' violence in this country.

The New York Times

Anthony Trollope said that his 1875 novel, "The Way We Live Now," was "instigated by what I conceived to be the commercial profligacy of the age".

The New York Times - Arts

Trollope, in his autobiography, said that the novel was "instigated by what I conceived to be the commercial profligacy of the age".

The New York Times - Books

The discussions were extensive — "more discussion that I wanted to have under what I conceived to be time pressure to close the deal," he wrote — and the lawyers suggested changes.

The New York Times

I formed to my self Ideas of greater accuracy than had yet appeared, and have endeavoured to produce a Sett of Types according to what I conceived to be their true proportion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "I conceive to" in formal writing. Opt for more common and grammatically sound alternatives like "I believe" or "I think".

Common error

A common mistake is to directly follow "I conceive" with "to" and an infinitive. Remember that "conceive" usually refers to forming an idea or becoming pregnant. For expressing belief or opinion, alternatives are preferable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I conceive to" is typically intended to express a personal belief or understanding. However, it is considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. The intended function is to convey a thought or opinion, similar to phrases like "I believe" or "I think", but as per Ludwig AI, this phrase doesn't follow standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "I conceive to" appears in a limited number of sources, including academic and news outlets, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its intended purpose is to express a personal belief or understanding, similar to "I believe" or "I think". However, it's advisable to avoid this phrase and opt for more standard English alternatives. Ludwig AI suggests that phrases like "I believe", "I think", or "I imagine" are more appropriate and grammatically sound choices. The frequency of the phrase is uncommon, further supporting the recommendation to use alternative expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I believe

Expresses a personal conviction or opinion more directly and commonly.

I think

Indicates a personal thought or opinion, similar to 'I believe' but often less formal.

I imagine

Suggests a mental picture or idea that may not be based on concrete evidence.

I understand

Indicates comprehension or a particular interpretation of something.

I consider

Implies a careful evaluation or contemplation before forming an opinion.

I assume

Suggests taking something for granted or accepting it as true without proof.

I gather

Indicates forming an understanding based on indirect information or evidence.

I surmise

Suggests a conjecture or inference based on limited evidence; more formal.

I postulate

Introduces a hypothesis or assumption as a basis for reasoning; very formal.

I deem

A more formal way of expressing judgment or opinion.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "I conceive to"?

Instead of "I conceive to", use phrases like "I believe", "I think", or "I imagine" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "I conceive to" considered formal or informal language?

The phrase "I conceive to" is not standard English and should be avoided in both formal and informal contexts. It's better to use more common and clear alternatives.

How can I use "conceive" correctly in a sentence?

Use "conceive" to mean forming an idea or becoming pregnant. For example, "I conceived a plan to improve the project" or "She was unable to conceive a child naturally".

What's the difference between "I conceive to" and "I conceive of"?

"I conceive of" is a valid phrase meaning to imagine or think of something. However, "I conceive to" is not a standard English construction and should not be used.