a key concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key concept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an important idea or principle that is central to a topic or subject matter. Example: "In our discussion of climate change, understanding the greenhouse effect is a key concept that we must explore."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A key concept in MI is ambivalence.

The Guardian

Security seems a key concept for Boyle.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Elegant" is a key concept here.

The New York Times - Magazine

A key concept in the Lachenmannian Weltanschauung is contamination.

The New Yorker

A key concept in Buddhism is 'upaya' – skilful means.

The Guardian

The last decade of research has overturned a key concept.

The New York Times

And in those days, "more teeth, less tail" had become a key concept in military spending.

The New York Times

A key concept, as Rogge noted, has been fair play, which Britain pioneered.

The Guardian

Along with inclusion and openness, authenticity was a key concept in 2011.

The Guardian

A KEY concept for the house was "to literally have no footprint," Ms. Donohue said.

The New York Times - Travel

?ter mentioned a key concept in Dr. Pitanguy's vision of plastic surgery's healing potential: self-esteem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a key concept" to highlight fundamental ideas in your writing, ensuring that readers grasp the core principles you are conveying. This is particularly useful in academic or technical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a key concept" as a placeholder without actually elaborating on the concept itself. Ensure that each instance of the phrase is followed by a clear and meaningful explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key concept" functions as a noun phrase. It typically introduces an important idea, principle, or element that is essential for understanding a particular subject or context. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is frequently used to highlight fundamental ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key concept" is a commonly used phrase to introduce and emphasize significant ideas or principles across various fields. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable, particularly in scientific, news-related, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide a clear definition and explanation of the concept to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "a central idea" or "a fundamental principle" to add variety to your writing. Be mindful of overuse, and ensure each instance provides valuable insight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a central idea

This alternative replaces "concept" with "idea" and "key" with "central", emphasizing the core nature of the concept.

a fundamental principle

This option uses "principle" instead of "concept" and "fundamental" instead of "key", highlighting the foundational aspect.

a core element

This alternative replaces "concept" with "element" and "key" with "core", focusing on an essential component.

a vital aspect

This phrase swaps "concept" with "aspect" and "key" with "vital", stressing the importance of the consideration.

an essential notion

This alternative uses "notion" in place of "concept" and "essential" instead of "key", emphasizing the necessity of the idea.

a critical component

This phrase replaces "concept" with "component" and "key" with "critical", stressing the importance of the part.

a primary tenet

This alternative uses "tenet" in place of "concept" and "primary" instead of "key", highlighting the foundational belief.

a basic premise

This phrase substitutes "concept" with "premise" and "key" with "basic", emphasizing the foundational assumption.

a significant theme

This alternative replaces "concept" with "theme" and "key" with "significant", focusing on the importance of the subject.

a crucial idea

This option uses "idea" in place of "concept" and "crucial" instead of "key", reinforcing the critical nature of the concept.

FAQs

How can I effectively introduce "a key concept" in my writing?

Start by clearly defining the concept and explaining its importance. Providing context and examples can help readers understand its relevance. Consider using phrases like "a central idea" or "a fundamental principle" as alternatives for variety.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a key concept"?

You can use alternatives like "a central idea", "a fundamental principle", or "a vital aspect" depending on the context.

In what types of writing is it most appropriate to use the phrase "a key concept"?

The phrase is suitable for academic, technical, and professional writing where you need to highlight essential ideas or principles. It is also used in news and media to draw attention to critical aspects of a story. Generally avoid in very informal content.

How does "a key concept" differ from "a main concept"?

While similar, "a key concept" implies a higher degree of importance or necessity compared to "a main concept". "Key" suggests the concept is crucial or essential for understanding a topic.