a singular concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a singular concept" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a single idea or concept that stands on its own. For example, "The idea of freedom is a singular concept that has been a driving force in history."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

To them, "the German language was unique and carried with it a singular concept of the world and life, revealing the essence of the German people," he said.

The New York Times

It is always going to be difficult to shift people's behaviours towards using another type of money because people think of money as a singular concept – it is just money, it is not 'local money'digitaltal money'," says Tom Shakhli, manager of the scheme.

The Guardian

A singular concept is enough.

SEP

No one can hand on a singular concept to another by definition or explanation.

SEP

But on Buridan's account, a singular concept is singular because of its complexity.

SEP

Buridan's treatment of proper names depends on his insistence that a singular term must be subordinated to a singular concept, and that the formation of a singular concept depends on the actual presence of the singular thing.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

According to Ockham's metaphysics there are only individuals in the world so that when an individual causes a concept to exist in the mind, it causes an individual concept and hence a singular conception of itself.

SEP

For him, this means that our concepts are from the very beginning loaded with some content and a fully singular concept picks out whatever it is of or represent in all circumstances.

SEP

Yet, given John Buridan's claim that a spoken term cannot be called universal or singular unless it corresponds to a universal or singular concept, we must have singular concepts if we have any genuine singular terms.

SEP

As we shall see in §9, Buridan introduces an extra condition for the singular concept, while allowing it to have a certain kind of generality.

SEP

Domingo de Soto remarked that in the case where there are several people called Peter in the room, and we want to distinguish this Peter from that Peter we may speak of this or that Peter, but in the mind, where there are no equivocal concepts, the singular concept corresponding to a proper name cannot properly be further singularized, any more than it can be universalized.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a singular concept" when you want to emphasize the uniqueness or distinctiveness of an idea. It suggests that the concept stands alone and is not easily confused with others.

Common error

Avoid using "a singular concept" when the uniqueness is already implied. For example, instead of saying 'This is a singular unique concept', simply state 'This is a unique concept' to avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a singular concept" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'singular' modifies 'concept'. It characterizes the concept as being unique or distinct. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating its proper grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a singular concept" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the uniqueness and distinctiveness of an idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English and suitable for various contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal communication. While not an extremely common phrase, its usage consistently highlights the special nature of the concept being discussed. For alternatives, consider "a unique concept" or "a distinct concept" to convey similar meanings. Avoid redundancy by only using it when the uniqueness of the idea truly needs emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a unique concept

This alternative emphasizes the distinctiveness and unparalleled nature of the concept.

a distinct concept

This alternative highlights the clear and easily distinguishable nature of the concept.

a particular concept

This alternative specifies the concept being referred to, focusing on its individual characteristics.

a specific concept

This option emphasizes the precise and well-defined nature of the concept.

an individual concept

This stresses that the concept is viewed as a separate and indivisible entity.

a solitary concept

This option focuses on the isolated and independent nature of the concept.

a lone concept

Similar to 'solitary', this emphasizes the concept's lack of association with others.

a self-contained concept

This phrase emphasizes that the concept is comprehensive and does not need external elements.

an isolated concept

This alternative indicates the concept is separate and unconnected to related ideas.

a discrete concept

This emphasizes the concept's clear boundaries and separateness from other concepts.

FAQs

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

You can use "a singular concept" to emphasize the uniqueness or distinctiveness of an idea. For example: "The idea of personal responsibility is "a singular concept" that is fundamental to ethical behavior."

What are some alternatives to "a singular concept"?

Alternatives include "a unique concept", "a distinct concept", or "a particular concept", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a very singular concept"?

While grammatically correct, "a very singular concept" can sound somewhat redundant. It's generally better to use "a truly unique concept" or emphasize the uniqueness in other ways within the sentence.

What's the difference between "a singular concept" and "a simple concept"?

"A singular concept" emphasizes the uniqueness or distinctiveness of an idea, whereas "a simple concept" highlights its lack of complexity. They are used in different contexts to convey different qualities.