a stubborn idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stubborn idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an idea that is persistent or difficult to change, often despite evidence or reasoning to the contrary. Example: "Despite the overwhelming evidence against it, she held onto her stubborn idea that the project would succeed without any changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"For a while, it was a stubborn thought.

The New Yorker

And, even as she writes about the complexities and hidden potencies of gender, Garner comes to the scene — again, like a certain kind of parent — with rather stubborn ideas about male and female roles.

The New Yorker

ROBERT WYATT Brooding introspection, music-hall jauntiness and songs in Spanish — all tinged with sardonic politics and stubborn ideas of beauty — are the three acts of "Comicopera," the latest album by this iconoclastic progressive-rock singer and percussionist.

The New York Times - Arts

They can feed the world a low fat, high quality protein that is healthy, they do not impact the green house affect, their farming can employ entire villages, they need little in the way of water and other resources, they taste like whatever you cook them in - the teriyaki ones actually sounded pretty good -- and the only thing in our way is our stubborn ideas about what we eat.

Huffington Post

Even so, Schmid selected a stubborn side.

The Guardian - Sport

"The Bernie people believe you need a stubborn, idealistic fighter for big progressive ideas who will win the fight to keep the base motivated and energized," said one longtime Capitol Hill aide.

Huffington Post

Giacchino, whose easygoing manner masks a stubborn streak, seldom rolls over when his ideas are questioned, and a few yelling matches have resulted.

The New Yorker

Nägeli, a stubborn man who held tenaciously to such ideas as spontaneous generation, did not accept environmental factors acting on variations in species, believing instead that evolution occurred in jumps.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fresh new thinking on a stubborn problem like Cuba is surely welcome, but this idea, like the embargo, seems likely to be counterproductive.

The New York Times

Ask your health professional for ideas as well, especially if you have a stubborn child, or if your child has a medical condition that makes it difficult to take medicine.

WikiHow

"The suggestion that Cara's relationship with a woman is because she has a 'stubborn idea' that 'only women will accept her' is ridiculous misogyny and an offensive slur against lesbian and bisexual women.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a stubborn idea", ensure the context clearly indicates the resistance to change or the persistence of the idea despite contrary evidence. This adds depth and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "a stubborn idea" in formal writing, as it can sometimes sound overly critical. Consider more neutral alternatives like "a persistent belief" or "a fixed mindset" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stubborn idea" functions as a noun phrase. The adjective "stubborn" modifies the noun "idea", indicating a quality of resistance to change or unwillingness to be swayed. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stubborn idea" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a thought or belief that is held firmly and is difficult to change. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability, though it's relatively infrequent. While appropriate in various contexts, it's important to consider the slightly critical connotation and potential for sounding informal in highly professional settings. Alternatives like "a persistent belief" or "a fixed mindset" may be more suitable in some cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a persistent notion

Replaces "idea" with "notion" focusing on the persistence of the thought.

a fixed mindset

Shifts the focus to an entrenched way of thinking rather than a specific idea.

an unwavering belief

Emphasizes the strength and resoluteness of the belief.

a tenacious conviction

Highlights the firmness and unyielding nature of the conviction.

a deeply ingrained thought

Focuses on how the thought is rooted in one's mind.

a resistant concept

Emphasizes the difficulty in changing the concept.

an unshakeable opinion

Focuses on how the opinion is firm and unwavering.

a dogmatic viewpoint

Implies the viewpoint is held rigidly and without question.

an inflexible perspective

Highlights the rigidity and lack of adaptability in the perspective.

a firm conviction

Reduces intensity compared to the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "a stubborn idea" in a sentence?

You can use "a stubborn idea" to describe a thought that someone is unwilling to change, even when presented with evidence to the contrary. For example, "Despite the data, he clung to "a stubborn idea" about the project's success".

What can I say instead of "a stubborn idea"?

You can use alternatives like "a persistent belief", "a fixed mindset", or "an unwavering conviction" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "stubborn idea" or "persistent idea"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "persistent idea" might be perceived as more neutral, while "stubborn idea" carries a stronger connotation of resistance or unwillingness to change.

What's the difference between "a stubborn idea" and "a strong conviction"?

"A strong conviction" generally implies a deeply held belief, while ""a stubborn idea"" suggests an unwillingness to change that belief, even in the face of contradictory evidence.