a plural concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a plural concept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ideas or notions that encompass multiple elements or aspects. Example: "In sociology, community is often viewed as a plural concept, reflecting the diverse identities and experiences of its members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

'In all our efforts to describe the past, to list the simple facts of history,' he wrote in his introduction to the From Hell scripts, 'we are involved in fiction.' There can be no anachronisms when time is a plural concept.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Its place in the family genealogy can be examined in relation to other societies, which admit plural concepts called "classificatory" kinship.

Gynécologie Obstétrique & Fertilité

Rather than seeing the different theories as competitors, we see that some philosophers take the data to suggest a plural approach when it comes to our understanding of rationality, belief, and concepts.

SEP

Early submissions have included Net Gen (net?), Digital Natives (zzz), and the Plurals (short for "Pluralism," a concept most ten-year-olds would be hard-pressed to define).

The New Yorker

(That's a plural).

Independent

"Bafana is already a plural.

The Guardian - Sport

Do we really want a plural presidency?

The New York Times

A compound subject like this is plural and should take a plural verb.

The New York Times

So the relative pronoun "that" is plural and requires a plural verb, "have lingered".

The New York Times

Phenomena is a plural count noun —  not a mass noun.

Independent

This construction demands a plural verb in the relative clause.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a plural concept", ensure that the context clearly indicates which multiple aspects or elements the concept encompasses to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a plural concept" when a more specific description of the concept's multifaceted nature is possible. Instead of simply labeling it as plural, detail the different dimensions or components that make it so.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a plural concept" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object. Ludwig AI shows it's often used to classify or define abstract ideas as having multiple layers or components.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a plural concept" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe ideas with multiple facets or components. Though relatively rare, according to Ludwig, its use is appropriate in academic and formal contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the distinct elements that constitute the concept's plurality. Consider related phrases like "a multifaceted concept" or "a complex notion" to add nuance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase helps categorize multifaceted ideas but avoid overgeneralization by specifying the relevant dimensions of the concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multifaceted concept

Replaces 'plural' with 'multifaceted' to emphasize the many different aspects of the concept.

a composite concept

Uses 'composite' to highlight that the concept is formed from multiple parts or elements.

a complex notion

Substitutes 'concept' with 'notion' and uses 'complex' to indicate intricacy.

a multi-layered concept

Emphasizes the different levels or strata within the concept.

a comprehensive idea

Replaces 'concept' with 'idea' and stresses the completeness or broadness of the idea.

an inclusive concept

Focuses on the concept's ability to encompass a wide range of elements or perspectives.

a collective concept

Highlights the shared or group nature of the concept.

a holistic concept

Emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of the concept's elements.

a diverse concept

Highlights the variety and range of elements included in the concept.

a multi-dimensional concept

Suggests that the concept has multiple facets that need to be considered.

FAQs

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

You can use "a plural concept" to describe ideas that encompass multiple elements. For example, "Community is often viewed as "a plural concept", reflecting diverse identities".

What is an alternative to saying "a plural concept"?

Alternatives include "a multifaceted concept", "a complex notion", or "a comprehensive idea" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "a plural concept" or "pluralistic concept"?

While both relate to multiplicity, "a plural concept" refers to a single concept comprising multiple elements, while "pluralistic concept" suggests a concept that supports or embodies pluralism (the coexistence of diverse viewpoints).

What does it mean for something to be described as "a plural concept"?

Describing something as "a plural concept" indicates that it is not a simple, singular idea but rather a more intricate and multi-faceted one. It implies the existence of multiple contributing components or perspectives.