a stunning idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stunning idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express admiration or approval for a particularly impressive or creative thought or concept. Example: "After brainstorming for hours, Sarah finally presented a stunning idea that could revolutionize our marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

To his publisher Fredric Warburg, he confides in 1948 that "I have a stunning idea for a very short novel which has been in my head for years, but I can't start anything until I am free from high temperatures, etc".

The New York Times - Books

BOOTHBAY HARBOR, MAINE — A stunning idea has entered respectable American discourse of late: that China is not just an economic rival but also a political competitor, with a political system that, despite its own flaws, reveals grave flaws in American democracy and might be inspiring to wavering nations.

The New York Times

Their magicians came up with a stunning idea which we still use today (albeit for a different reason).

Huffington Post

Recently an article in Phys.org, an on-line science blog, reported a proposal by Crow White and Christopher Costello, two California research scientists, advocating a stunning idea to reverse the trend: close the high seas to fishing altogether.

Huffington Post

What a stunning idea: devising a system that magnifies the giving power of the little guy -- or a hundred million little guys -- and allows women and men who embrace their beliefs, on reducing military funding, let us say, to run for office free of any dependence on corporate money and the interests of the military-industrial complex.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It is a matter of looking forward to meeting the goals that have not yet been met, reawakening Americans — and the rest of the world — to the power of this stunning idea.

The New York Times

With this in mind, the LGiU has come up with the stunning idea of withholding benefits from fat claimants who refuse to comply with sanctions (in the form of forced exercise).

The Guardian - Opinion

Stunning idea.

TechCrunch

The metaphors are multiple, from the failure to educate kids to our obsession with TV to society's worship of youth to parental dissociation from actively raising children and on and on, if you cared to dig into the rich, thick heart of his stunning ideas.

Huffington Post

The range from 200 or 300 B.C. to 2000 A.D. created a stunning panorama of ideas".

The New York Times - Arts

For three days, the stage was full of 18 minute TED talks -- a stunning collection of mind blowing ideas, revelations, and powerful emotional stories.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a stunning idea" to introduce a concept that genuinely has the potential to create a major positive impact, such as revolutionizing a process or solving a significant problem.

Common error

Avoid using "a stunning idea" as a generic compliment. Ensure the idea truly warrants such praise by providing specific reasons for its exceptional nature. Overusing strong adjectives can diminish their impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stunning idea" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "stunning" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "idea". Ludwig AI shows examples in which it's used to introduce particularly impressive concepts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stunning idea" is a phrase used to express admiration for an exceptionally impressive or innovative concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While relatively rare in frequency, it appears most commonly in news and media contexts. To ensure effective use, provide clear context as to why the idea is considered "stunning". Alternatives include "an impressive concept" or "a brilliant notion", which can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an impressive concept

Replaces "stunning" with a more general term for something that makes a strong, positive impact.

a brilliant notion

Substitutes "stunning" with "brilliant" to highlight the intelligence and cleverness of the idea.

a remarkable concept

Uses "remarkable" instead of "stunning" to emphasize the unusual or noteworthy quality of the idea.

a groundbreaking proposal

Focuses on the innovative and transformative nature of the idea, suggesting it breaks new ground.

a visionary plan

Highlights the forward-thinking and imaginative aspects of the idea.

an ingenious scheme

Emphasizes the clever and inventive qualities of the idea.

an exceptional thought

Replaces "stunning" with "exceptional" to indicate that the idea is out of the ordinary and outstanding.

a magnificent innovation

Highlights that the idea is not only innovative, but also very impressive.

a superb suggestion

Replaces idea with a more actionable term, suggesting the thought can be implemented.

a striking invention

Highlights the unusual and attention-grabbing quality of an inventive idea.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a stunning idea" in a sentence?

To effectively use "a stunning idea", provide context that highlights the innovative or impressive aspects of the idea. For instance, "After months of research, the scientist presented "a stunning idea" that could revolutionize cancer treatment".

What are some alternatives to "a stunning idea"?

You can use alternatives such as "an impressive concept", "a brilliant notion", or "a remarkable concept" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a stunning idea" in formal writing?

Yes, "a stunning idea" can be used in formal writing, especially when describing a genuinely innovative or impactful concept. However, ensure that the tone of the writing remains professional and that the adjective "stunning" is justified by the context.

What makes an idea worthy of being called "stunning"?

An idea can be considered "stunning" if it is remarkably original, exceptionally clever, or has the potential to create significant positive change. The term implies that the idea stands out from the ordinary and has a noteworthy impact.