a great notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a positive idea or concept that is considered impressive or valuable. Example: "The proposal to create a community garden is a great notion that could bring neighbors together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Sometimes a great notion is just that.

The New York Times

"Sometimes a Great Notion" followed in 1964.

The New York Times

His second book, Sometimes a Great Notion, appeared in 1964.

The Guardian

He had returned to direction in 1971, salvaging the outdoor drama Sometimes a Great Notion.

The Guardian - Film

They are as poor as her own folk but they have such a great notion of themselves.

The New Yorker

Newman next directed and starred in an adaptation of Ken Kesey's sprawling novel about Oregon loggers, Sometimes a Great Notion (1971).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

I place this here not as a recommendation to buy but as a reminder of the great Notion Ink Wars of 2011.

TechCrunch

"It probably reaffirms the great notion that the country is able to withstand so much pain and to still be a beacon for the rest of the world".

The New York Times

Staring into the gloom, searching for "some truth about the rats, or at least about my alley -- some great notion I still felt eluded me about my rats and about my particular situation".

The New York Times - Books

"I wouldn't be surprised to see a much greater notion of conspiracy in countries like Argentina, Italy and Greece and much less in places like Sweden, Norway, Britain and Germany," said Markovits, author of the forthcoming book, "Gaming the World: How Sports are Reshaping Global Politics and Culture".

The New York Times - Sports

His Great Notions Embroidery Designs, a $12 million (sales) Dallas company, saw business drop by half last year when a renegade Web site run by a small-town couple in Alberta, Canada started posting Great Notions' 20,000 sewing patterns online.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great notion" to introduce a new idea or proposal that you believe has potential value or merit.

Common error

While acceptable, "a great notion" can sound less formal than alternatives like "a promising concept" or "a valuable proposal" in professional or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great notion" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or a direct object. It describes an idea, plan, or concept that is considered to be excellent or promising. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a great notion" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe an excellent or promising idea. Ludwig AI confirms that it functions as a noun phrase, often used to introduce concepts positively. While generally neutral in register, writers should consider the context and audience, opting for more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, reflecting its broad applicability. When using "a great notion", ensure it aligns with the intended tone and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brilliant idea

Replaces 'notion' with 'idea', emphasizing the cleverness or ingenuity of the thought.

an excellent concept

Substitutes 'notion' with 'concept', highlighting the well-developed and comprehensive nature of the idea.

an ingenious thought

Substitutes 'notion' with 'thought', emphasizing the creativity and cleverness involved.

a wonderful plan

Uses 'plan' instead of 'notion', focusing on the practical and actionable aspect of the idea.

a remarkable concept

Replaces "great" and "excellent" with "remarkable", focusing on how worthy of attention the idea is.

a fantastic scheme

Replaces 'notion' with 'scheme', suggesting a more elaborate and potentially ambitious plan.

a noteworthy idea

Replaces "great" with "noteworthy", highlighting the idea's significance or importance.

an inspiring vision

Replaces "notion" with "vision", focusing on how motivational the idea is.

an innovative approach

Replaces "notion" with "approach", emphasizing how the idea presents a novel solution.

a promising strategy

Uses 'strategy' instead of 'notion', focusing on a specific course of action designed to achieve a goal.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great notion" to introduce an idea or proposal, such as, "The community garden project is "a great notion" that could benefit the neighborhood."

What are some alternatives to "a great notion"?

Some alternatives include "a brilliant idea", "an excellent concept", or "a promising strategy" depending on the context.

Is "a great notion" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "a great notion" might be considered less formal than alternatives like "a promising concept" or "a valuable proposal" in academic contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "a great notion" and "a good idea"?

While both express a positive sentiment, "a great notion" can imply a more developed or comprehensive idea than "a good idea". A good idea might be a starting point, while a great notion suggests further thought and potential.