a mere concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere concept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is only an idea or thought, without any physical or practical existence. Example: "While the theory sounds intriguing, it remains a mere concept until we can test it in real-world scenarios."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Liberty has to be more than a mere concept or a philosophy.

The Guardian - Books

However, the meaning of this term ranges from a real object in the external world referred to by the word to a mere concept of an object which may or may not correspond to anything in the external world.

SEP

Cf. J. Seifert, "Si Deus est Deus, Deus est" 218, for whom the argument takes its "starting point in the objective essence and not in a mere concept of God".

SEP

It is true that such a concept remains abstract (the essence contained in the concept is not beheld by the knowing subject), but the 'theologian' passes from the concept to affirm subsistent Being, which is therefore no longer a mere concept, but something which must exist in itself.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Although researchers thought this phenomenon only happened when someone directly perceives something in the outside world, a new study of a synesthete doing arithmetic shows that the mere concept of a number is enough to color her world.

Science Magazine

It was heralded as government at its most transparent, a place where public accountability was no mere concept but an inescapable, moment-by-moment reality: Mr. Bloomberg could see and hear everyone, and vice versa.

The New York Times

However, it may also be argued that the mere concept of a baseline is an anomaly in organizational research of complex change, as there may not be a clear starting point for the intervention, and multiple changes happen simultaneously and continuously all the time.

BMC Health Services Research

Beer drinkers have rejoiced, extolling the mere concept of a craft brew interrupting the country's monotonous beer landscape.

Vice

Imagine it: a workday without distraction, where the mere concept of rest was for the weak and puerile, and your mind was razor-sharp until you decided you were finished with it until the morning.

Vice

As for the mere concept of working for a company whose slippery methods and unlikable leadership have been repeatedly pilloried over the last few years, it's a legitimate concern.

TechCrunch

The latest victim of the Midlands' black hand of misery is the mere concept of cat cafés, a fairly innocuous and smiley idea that the Midlands has somehow managed to take a giant hypodermic needle to and inject with 10ccs of existential anguish.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere concept" when you want to downplay the significance or practicality of an idea, especially when contrasting it with concrete reality or action.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere concept" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can come across as dismissive or condescending. Opt for more neutral terms like "theoretical framework" or "conceptual model" to maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere concept" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object. It serves to characterize something as existing only in the realm of thought, without tangible form or practical application. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mere concept" is a noun phrase used to downplay the significance or practicality of an idea. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It appears most frequently in scientific and news media contexts. While appropriate for general use, avoid overuse in formal writing to prevent sounding dismissive. Alternatives include "just an idea" or "purely theoretical". The phrase serves to contrast an idea with tangible reality or action, implying it lacks substance without implementation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just an idea

This alternative replaces the more formal "concept" with a simpler term.

simply a notion

Replaces "mere" with "simply" and "concept" with "notion", softening the tone.

purely theoretical

Focuses on the theoretical aspect, highlighting the lack of practical application.

merely theoretical

Focuses on the theoretical aspect, similar to 'purely theoretical'.

only a hypothesis

Emphasizes the speculative nature, particularly in a scientific context.

a theoretical construct

Highlights that the concept is constructed or built upon theory.

a simple abstraction

Focuses on the abstract nature of the concept, indicating it is not concrete.

an abstract idea

Replaces 'concept' with the slightly more common 'idea', keeping the abstract meaning.

just a thought

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic elements, suitable for informal contexts.

nothing but an idea

Emphasizes the limited nature, implying a lack of substance or development.

FAQs

How can I use "a mere concept" in a sentence?

You can use "a mere concept" to downplay the significance of an idea, suggesting it lacks practical application. For example, "While the plan looks good on paper, it's still "a mere concept" until we test it."

What's a good alternative to "a mere concept"?

Alternatives include "just an idea", "simply a notion", or "purely theoretical", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a mere concept" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a mere concept" can sound dismissive. In formal writing, consider more neutral phrases like "theoretical framework" or "conceptual model" instead.

What does it mean to describe something as "a mere concept"?

Describing something as "a mere concept" implies that it is an idea or abstraction without concrete existence or practical application. It suggests a lack of substance or development beyond the initial idea.