a central notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a central notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a key idea or concept that is fundamental to a particular topic or argument. Example: "In this research paper, we will explore a central notion of social justice and its implications for policy-making."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The chip firing game is a simple example of a confluent system, which is a central notion in algebraic combinatorics and particle physics.

University of California, Berkeley

So the idea that we set out to create a government that gains its legitimacy through our recognition that thereby our self-interest is advanced is a central notion to the American political tradition.

Yale University

It gave way seamlessly to the Ullmann work, in a grim but affecting staging by David Schweitzer in which a central notion was a long historical view of the havoc-causing Emperor Überall.

The New York Times - Arts

The Japanese thought of it as a new concept, pronounced kyoso, during the Meiji era, eventually accepting it as a central notion in their American-imposed anti-monopoly law of 1947.

The Economist

As careless reuse of object code in new or evolving system designs fails to work, we first concentrate on what are the additional features needed to abstract programs for the purpose of code generation: we show that a central notion is that of scheduling specification as resulting from a causality analysis of the given program.

Information and Computation

A central notion of Stoicism, the philosophical doctrine with which Seneca is most closely identified, was the idea that being virtuous is the only truly beneficial thing, and the only thing that can make a person truly happy: wealth, like health, freedom and status, is a merely "indifferent thing".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

CBR is a cyclic method where the central notion is a case which represents an earlier experience.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

Again, this new component was, in fact, an old and central notion which has been widely discussed by mainstream epistemologists but which remained out of the scope of classical epistemic logic.

SEP

For such a difficult task, this central notion must be complemented (or replaced) by additional evolutionary concepts.

Biology Direct

The central notion of a possible world semantics for counterfactuals is a relation of comparative similarity between worlds (Lewis 1973a).

SEP

The central notion is a parameterization of space by distances from the material features either exactly or approximately.

Computer Aided Geometric Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a central notion" to introduce fundamental concepts that underpin your analysis or explanation, making it clear why these ideas are essential.

Common error

Avoid using "a central notion" simply as filler. Always ensure that the notion you're highlighting truly is central and clearly explain its importance to your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a central notion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. As Ludwig AI highlights, it denotes a key idea or concept that is fundamental to a particular topic. For example, it identifies and emphasizes a core concept within a field or argument.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a central notion" is a grammatically correct phrase used to highlight fundamental concepts within a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and suggests its role in emphasizing key ideas. As the examples show, it appears most frequently in scientific, academic and news media sources. When writing, use "a central notion" to introduce important concepts, but avoid overuse without proper context. Alternatives such as "a key concept" or "a core idea" can provide variety while maintaining clarity. Remember to ensure the highlighted notion is truly central to your discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key concept

Replaces "notion" with "concept", emphasizing the idea as a key element.

a core idea

Substitutes "notion" with "idea", highlighting the fundamental nature of the concept.

a fundamental principle

Emphasizes the foundational aspect of the idea, framing it as a guiding rule.

a basic tenet

Replaces "notion" with "tenet", suggesting a belief or doctrine that is central.

a primary concept

Replaces "central" with "primary", keeping the focus on a main idea.

a main theme

Shifts the focus slightly to a recurring subject or idea.

a key element

Highlights the idea as a crucial component of a larger system or argument.

a pivotal idea

Emphasizes the turning point or crucial nature of the idea.

a crucial aspect

Focuses on the importance of the idea as one part of a whole.

an essential component

Highlights the necessity of the idea for completeness.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a central notion" in a sentence?

Introduce "a central notion" to emphasize the core idea of your argument, explaining why it's fundamental to the topic. For example: "A central notion in quantum physics is the principle of uncertainty."

What phrases can I use instead of "a central notion"?

Alternatives include "a key concept", "a core idea", or "a fundamental principle", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a central notion" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a central notion" is more suited to formal writing. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "a main idea" or "a key point" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "a central notion" and "a common belief"?

"A central notion" refers to a fundamental concept or idea, while "a common belief" refers to something widely accepted as true, even if not necessarily a core principle. The former is about importance to a system of thought, the latter about widespread acceptance.