a profound concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a profound concept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ideas or theories that have deep significance or meaning. Example: "The theory of relativity is a profound concept that changed our understanding of time and space."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Each piece in her "Athbheachan: Untranslatable Wisdom" is titled after a non-English word that expresses a profound concept.

The Washington Post

This is a profound concept because it means that a decentralized technology can replace centralized institutions to provide security.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Envisioning a world without epidemic AIDS is a deeply profound concept.

Science Magazine

"It's almost a cliché, but for me it's a very profound concept.

The New York Times

And while everybody was wringing their hands when the early automated sequencers didn't do everything, I had a very profound concept.

Cornell University

"It's such a big, profound concept, filled with tiny details that add up to this very rich tapestry this idea that everyone's life is mundane, and petty, and all about getting to school on time, and all about whether your best friends are talking to you, all these tedious things," she said.

The New Yorker

It is a simple and profound concept that everyone in Half the Sky's Village who has met and nurtured incredibly resilient Zhenhao can never forget.

Huffington Post

Further, Bernard's legislative force became an original and profound concept in context of physical basis life.

Vital Forces The Discovery of the Molecular Basis of Life

The prediction of several RNAs' secondary structure with comparative analysis is based on a very simple but profound concept.

BMC Genomics

It's a beautifully simple but ultimately profound concept that has been allowed to flourish unchecked for millennia.

Huffington Post

The information connected to a dynamic system is expressed in bits; it is a profound primitive concept and, therefore, cannot be defined as a combination of elemental constituents.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a profound concept" when you want to emphasize the depth, significance, or far-reaching implications of an idea. Ensure the context supports the weight you're giving to the concept.

Common error

Avoid using "profound" too frequently, as it can diminish its impact. If every concept is "profound", the word loses its meaning. Reserve it for truly significant and impactful ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a profound concept" functions as a noun phrase, with "profound" acting as a pre-modifying adjective that emphasizes the depth and significance of the "concept". Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts to denote ideas of substantial importance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a profound concept" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the depth and significance of an idea. Ludwig's analysis, confirmed by its AI, indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and while not overly frequent, it appears across various reputable sources like The New York Times, Huffington Post and Forbes. When writing, reserve the use of "profound" for truly impactful ideas to avoid diminishing its effect, and consider alternatives like "a deep idea" in less formal settings. The phrase generally carries a neutral to professional tone, making it suitable for thoughtful discussions and academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a deep idea

Replaces "profound" with "deep", suggesting depth of understanding or emotion, but less formal.

a significant notion

Substitutes "concept" with "notion" and "profound" with "significant", highlighting importance or consequence.

a weighty idea

Replaces "profound" with "weighty", implying seriousness and importance, often with ethical or moral implications.

a meaningful idea

Emphasizes the personal or subjective relevance of the concept, highlighting its importance to an individual or group.

an insightful idea

Suggests the idea provides a new understanding or perspective, focusing on its intellectual value.

a seminal idea

Implies the idea is highly original and influential, serving as a foundation for future developments.

a groundbreaking idea

Highlights the innovative and transformative nature of the concept, suggesting it breaks new ground or challenges existing norms.

a revolutionary idea

Emphasizes the radical and transformative potential of the concept, suggesting it could lead to significant change.

a complex idea

Highlights the multifaceted and intricate nature of the concept, suggesting it requires careful consideration and analysis.

a subtle idea

Suggests the idea is nuanced and requires careful attention to detail to fully grasp its implications.

FAQs

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

You can use "a profound concept" to describe an idea that has deep meaning or significance. For example, "The theory of relativity is "a profound concept" that changed our understanding of space and time."

What are some alternatives to "a profound concept"?

Alternatives include "a deep idea", "a significant notion", or "a weighty idea" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a profound concept" formal or informal?

"A profound concept" is generally considered neutral to formal. While appropriate for academic and professional settings, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation. In such contexts, alternatives like "a deep idea" might be preferable.

What makes a concept "profound"?

A concept is considered "profound" when it demonstrates intellectual depth, reveals significant insights, or has far-reaching implications. It often challenges conventional thinking or offers a new perspective on fundamental aspects of reality.