a rough concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rough concept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an initial or preliminary idea that is not fully developed or refined. Example: "Before we finalize the project, let's start with a rough concept to guide our discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mr. Guttenberg last week called Magna's proposal "interesting," but "a rough concept".

The New York Times

Piet Dircke of ARCADIS, a Dutch corporation that recently built some of New Orleans' post-Katrina dikes, also provided Bowman with a rough concept of a storm surge barrier across the Verrazano Narrows, one that would allow for large and small ship traffic and for natural tidal flow when no storms are present.

Yale University

Armed with just a rough concept, you can raise millions on crowdfunding platforms like Indiegogo and Kickstarter.

TechCrunch

A rough concept of time that is adequate to the current state of knowledge draws on advances above all in natural scientific disciplines.

European Journal of Futures Research

A comparison between the empirical outcomes and the state of current research led to the definition of a rough concept concerning the internal sphere of influence of a farm when implementing a biogas plant in a sustainable manner.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

I used to sit down and just draw without any kind of preconceived ideas, maybe with just a rough concept.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's a very rough concept that I wrote about because it felt like something that could be improved upon.

Huffington Post

It's supposedly coming out "in the next few months," although the pretty rough concept shown above doesn't bespeak a project far along in its design process.

TechCrunch

When Dozier and producer Howie Horowitz saw rough concept artwork of the new Batgirl by artist Carmine Infantino during a visit to DC offices, they optioned the character in a bid to help sell a third season to the ABC television network.

Wikipedia

… David and Seinfeld pitched the rough concept to NBC.

The New Yorker

David and Seinfeld pitched the rough concept to NBC.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "a rough concept", clearly state that it is preliminary and subject to change. This manages expectations and encourages constructive feedback.

Common error

Avoid treating "a rough concept" as a fully developed plan. Overstating its readiness can lead to miscommunication and flawed decision-making.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rough concept" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces an idea that is not yet fully formed or detailed, setting the stage for further development or discussion, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a rough concept" is a noun phrase used to describe an idea in its initial stages of development. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and suitable for a variety of contexts, although it appears more frequently in News & Media and Science than in formal business settings. When using this phrase, it’s important to manage expectations by acknowledging its preliminary nature and to differentiate it from a fully developed plan. Alternatives such as "a preliminary idea" or "a basic idea" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary idea

Emphasizes the initial stage of the idea.

an initial idea

Highlights the starting point of the thought process.

a basic idea

Focuses on the fundamental elements of the concept.

an undeveloped idea

Indicates the concept is not fully formed.

a general idea

Focuses on the broad understanding without specific details.

a vague idea

Stresses the lack of clarity and detail in the concept.

a sketchy idea

Implies incompleteness and lack of thoroughness.

a rudimentary concept

Suggests a basic and simple understanding.

a raw idea

Highlights the unrefined and unprocessed nature of the idea.

a tentative idea

Emphasizes the provisional and uncertain nature of the concept.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rough concept" to describe an idea that is not yet fully developed. For example, "The project started with "a rough concept", which evolved over several meetings".

What's the difference between "a rough concept" and "a detailed plan"?

"A rough concept" is an initial idea that lacks specifics, while "a detailed plan" provides comprehensive information and strategies for execution.

Are there situations where using "a rough concept" is not appropriate?

Yes, in situations requiring precise specifications or legal documents, using "a rough concept" might be inadequate. More concrete plans are needed.

What can I say instead of "a rough concept"?

You can use alternatives like "a preliminary idea", "a basic idea", or "an initial notion" depending on the context.