a basic notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a basic notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a fundamental idea or concept that is essential for understanding a topic. Example: "Before diving into the complexities of the theory, it's important to grasp a basic notion of its principles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"They were stacked against a basic notion of fairness".

The New York Times

A basic notion that should be considered in understanding DRM is to balance privacy with notions of piracy.

Multimedia Security Technologies for Digital Rights Management

It's a basic notion of warfare: you sue for peace when you have to — when it hurts too much to carry on.

The New Yorker

It's a basic notion of warfare: you sue for peace when you have to when it hurts too much to carry on.

The New Yorker

Though the judges also questioned state officials and proponents of the recall, the tenor of the hearing was set early when one of the panel's most senior members, Judge Alex Kozinski, an appointee of President Ronald Reagan, challenged a basic notion of the civil liberties union's case.

The New York Times

It's a basic notion, but a surprising number of managers and leaders miss this.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Huygens refused to define equality of chances as a fundamental presumption of a fair game but derived it instead from what he saw as a more basic notion of an equal exchange.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A pretty basic notion of the interconnectedness of things and ideas: a Jenga tower of knowledge, you can't have the top block without the bottom.

Vice

Developed toward the end of the 2nd century, after the failure of Bar Kokhba's revolt, this conception is connected with a more basic notion of apocalyptic messianism the belief that the messianic advent is preceded by suffering and catastrophe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, the concepts of all of the other transcendentals add a certain basic notion to the notion of being in order to differentiate them from being.

SEP

To demonstrate this, we will start with a very simple calculus a variant of the Simple Event Calculus by Shanahan (1997) which only incorporates a very basic notion of instantaneous change.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing "a basic notion", ensure you provide sufficient context for your audience to grasp its significance and relevance to the overall topic. Don't assume prior knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex language when explaining "a basic notion". The goal is clarity and accessibility, so prioritize simple terms and direct explanations. If you obfuscate the idea behind long and convoluted sentences you will not fulfill its purpose

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a basic notion" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, referring to a fundamental concept or idea. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a basic notion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that effectively introduces a fundamental concept or idea. Ludwig AI indicates that it is suitable for diverse writing contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic domains. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overcomplication, focusing on providing a solid foundation for your audience's understanding. Consider alternatives like "a fundamental concept" or "a core principle" to vary your language while maintaining precision. The phrase appears most often in News & Media and Scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental concept

Replaces "notion" with a more formal synonym, "concept", emphasizing the foundational nature of the idea.

a core principle

Substitutes "notion" with "principle", highlighting the idea as a guiding rule or tenet.

an elementary idea

Replaces "basic" with "elementary", suggesting the idea is simple and foundational.

a simple concept

Emphasizes the simplicity of the idea, rather than its foundational importance.

a rudimentary understanding

Shifts the focus to the level of understanding, rather than the idea itself, implying a beginning level of comprehension.

a foundational element

Highlights the idea as a building block for further knowledge or understanding.

an underlying assumption

Presents the notion as a belief that is taken for granted and supports a line of reasoning.

a primary tenet

Replaces "notion" with "tenet", suggesting the idea is a key belief or doctrine.

a key element

Emphasizes the importance of the idea as a crucial component.

a central theme

Presents the notion as a recurring idea or subject, usually within a larger context.

FAQs

How can I use "a basic notion" in a sentence?

You can use "a basic notion" to introduce a fundamental concept or idea that is essential for understanding a topic. For example, "To understand quantum physics, one must first grasp "a basic notion" of wave-particle duality".

What are some alternatives to "a basic notion"?

Alternatives to "a basic notion" include phrases like "a fundamental concept", "a core principle", or "an elementary idea". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a basic basic notion"?

Yes, saying "a basic basic notion" is generally redundant. The word "basic" already implies a fundamental or elementary concept, so repeating it doesn't add any value and can sound awkward. Stick to simply ""a basic notion"".

What's the difference between "a basic notion" and "a common misconception"?

"A basic notion" refers to a fundamental, generally accepted idea. A "common misconception", on the other hand, is a widely held but incorrect belief. They are contrasting concepts; one represents correct understanding, the other misunderstanding.