a divergent idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a divergent idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concept or thought that differs significantly from the norm or mainstream thinking. Example: "In the meeting, she presented a divergent idea that challenged our traditional approach to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Neuropsychology

Futures Research

Politics

Education

Empiricism

Christianity

Intellectual Property

Humor

Cultural Studies

Policy Making

Democracy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This approach allowed us to compare the oscillatory dynamics of rule convergent and rule divergent idea generation and at the same time enabled us to measure spontaneous switching between these thinking modes on a trial-to-trial basis.

Neuropsychologia

At the same time, our intention was not primarily to give a precise picture of the future, but rather to come to an understanding of the divergent ideas and conceptions driving future development, thus necessitating a longer time horizon.

European Journal of Futures Research

As I've hopefully demonstrated above, this was a result of too divergent ideas about what might come out of the agreement and of the fact that Russia and the U.S. never agreed on the starting points or even regarding which players should be included in the agreement.

Huffington Post

Individuals bring divergent ideas into a collaborative environment.

Computers & Education

"While he has particular views I personally don't subscribe to," Mr. Culwell said, "I have found him to be a pretty honest broker of divergent ideas".

The New York Times

Instead, the Vienna Circle must be seen as a forum in which widely divergent ideas about how empiricism can cope with modern empirical and formal science were discussed.

SEP

Instructors can begin to establish a classroom community that values divergent ideas and promotes participation by students who may not already have scientifically accurate understanding by using the following four teaching strategies.

CBE Life Sciences Education

"The mortars were so intense, it was hard to even retrieve his body". The brothers were part of the Tihama Resistance, whose fighters come from the coast — one of at least a dozen Yemeni militias, with widely divergent ideas, that fight under the coalition banner.

The New York Times

The evidence shows, instead, that the worldwide intellectual property system has entered a brave new scientific epoch, in which experts have only tentative, divergent ideas about how best to treat a daunting array of new technologies.

Duke University

Christian thought gradually settled into a pattern that required both of these apparently divergent ideas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This process provided an opportunity for discussion and helped to establish a common representation of research questions from apparently divergent ideas.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "a divergent idea", ensure that you provide sufficient context and explanation to make the idea understandable and relatable to your audience.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a divergent idea" as inherently superior simply because it's different. Emphasize the merits of the idea itself rather than just its divergence from the norm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a divergent idea" functions as a noun phrase, where 'divergent' modifies the noun 'idea'. It describes a concept that deviates from the norm or established ways of thinking. Ludwig's analysis confirms its use in various contexts to introduce innovative or unconventional concepts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a divergent idea" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a concept that deviates from the norm. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, while not extremely common, the phrase appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. It serves to introduce concepts that are distinct and innovative. To enhance your writing, consider using this phrase to introduce non-traditional viewpoints, and be mindful of the common error of overstating the value of an idea solely based on its divergence. Related phrases include "an unconventional concept" and "an innovative perspective".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unconventional concept

Replaces 'divergent' with 'unconventional', emphasizing the non-standard nature of the concept.

a non-traditional thought

Substitutes 'divergent' with 'non-traditional', highlighting a departure from established norms.

an innovative perspective

Focuses on the novelty of the idea, using 'innovative' to replace 'divergent'.

a unique viewpoint

Emphasizes the singularity of the idea, replacing 'divergent' with 'unique'.

a differing opinion

Highlights the disagreement aspect, using 'differing' as a substitute for 'divergent'.

a contrasting notion

Focuses on the opposition to other ideas, using 'contrasting' instead of 'divergent'.

an alternative approach

Shifts the focus to method rather than just the idea, suggesting a different way of doing something.

an original concept

Stresses the novelty of the idea, substituting 'divergent' with 'original'.

a revolutionary thought

Implies a significant change or disruption, making the idea more impactful.

a distinctive concept

Emphasizes the recognizably different character of the idea.

FAQs

How can I use "a divergent idea" in a sentence?

You can use "a divergent idea" to introduce a concept that significantly differs from the norm. For example, "The company embraced "a divergent idea" to overhaul its marketing strategy".

What phrases are similar to "a divergent idea"?

Similar phrases include "an unconventional concept", "a non-traditional thought", or "an innovative perspective", each emphasizing a unique aspect of difference or originality.

Is it always good to have "a divergent idea"?

Not necessarily. While divergent ideas can lead to innovation, they should be evaluated based on their merits and practicality, not just their novelty. Consider whether the "divergent idea" addresses a real problem or offers a genuine improvement.

How does "a divergent idea" differ from a 'bad idea'?

"A divergent idea" simply means an idea that differs from the norm. Whether it's a good or bad idea depends on its potential value, feasibility, and impact, not just its divergence. A "divergent idea" must still be well-reasoned and beneficial.