a notional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a notional" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that exists only in theory or as a concept, rather than in reality. Example: "In a notional sense, the project could lead to significant advancements in technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'You have a notional identity..

The Guardian - Books

What would be the consequence of even a notional default?

The Economist

Curiosity has a notional mission length of 700 days.

The Economist

But a notional Lahore fixer rigging a Test match?

The Guardian

He faces a notional maximum of 150 years in prison.

The Guardian

The border between China and Myanmar was clearly a notional border for the local people.

Yale University

It presents a notional version of Scott-Heron, which is Scott-Heron as hip-hop practitioner.

The New Yorker

How did socialism become a notional subject of this Presidential campaign?

The New Yorker

The tax-free prize money is paid out at a notional rate of 1.5 per cent.

Independent

At current prices, the two together are priced at a notional $66bn.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's worth making the blindingly obvious hypothetical comparison to a notional nominee under the last president.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a notional" to clearly indicate that you are discussing an idea, concept, or value that is theoretical or assumed, rather than definitively real or actual. This adds precision to your writing when dealing with abstract or speculative topics.

Common error

Avoid using "a notional" when you intend to describe something concrete or real. The term implies a degree of abstraction or assumption, so using it inappropriately can mislead your audience about the nature of what you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a notional" primarily functions as an adjective modifying a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies exists more as an idea, concept, or theoretical construct than as something concrete or factual. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples where "a notional" qualifies terms like 'border', 'value', and 'schedule'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a notional" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase indicating something theoretical or conceptual rather than real. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia, with a neutral to formal register. It's crucial to differentiate its meaning from similar terms like "nominal" or "actual" to ensure accurate and effective communication. The phrase's high frequency across reputable sources underscores its validity and relevance in contemporary English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a theoretical

Focuses on the idea being based in theory, which can sometimes imply less practicality.

a conceptual

Emphasizes the idea's existence as a concept in the mind.

a hypothetical

Highlights the speculative and conditional nature of the idea.

a speculative

Suggests that the idea is based on conjecture and not firmly established.

a virtual

Conveys a sense of something that exists in effect, but not necessarily in physical form.

an imaginary

Implies the idea exists only in the imagination.

a simulated

Implies the idea is artificially created to represent real conditions.

a postulated

Highlights the idea's origin in an assumption or hypothesis.

a fictitious

Suggests something deliberately fabricated or invented.

a counterfactual

Indicates something that is contrary to the facts or what actually happened.

FAQs

How to use "a notional" in a sentence?

The phrase "a notional" is used to describe something that is theoretical or conceptual rather than real or factual. For example, "The boundary between the two countries was more "a notional border" than a physical barrier".

What can I say instead of "a notional"?

You can use alternatives like "a theoretical", "a conceptual", or "a hypothetical" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a notional value" or "an actual value"?

Both are correct, but they have opposite meanings. "A notional value" refers to a theoretical or face value, whereas "an actual value" refers to the real or realized value.

What's the difference between "a notional" and "a nominal"?

"A notional" emphasizes the theoretical or conceptual nature, while "a nominal" often refers to something that is so small or insignificant as to be merely named but not truly acted upon. For example, "a nominal fee" is a very small fee, while "a notional amount" is a theoretical amount.