abstract notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'abstract notion' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an idea or concept that cannot be perceived directly by the senses. For example, you could say: "Love is an abstract notion that is difficult to define."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

What Latin authors meant by propositio is best captured by the notion of a declarative sentence, not by the modern abstract notion of proposition.

SEP

It is not an abstract notion here.

The New York Times

Has this abstract notion ever come so alive?

The New York Times - Books

"This is not just the abstract notion of competition.

The New York Times

[Journalists] dehumanise the people who live there because they reduce them to some abstract notion".

Independent

"What they're doing is not an abstract notion but something that can happen next door".

The New York Times

A PICNIC in Central Park: As an abstract notion, it sounds pretty simple.

The New York Times - Travel

Some readers may be stopped by the abstract notion of "eating darkness".

The New York Times - Books

But in developing the script: "It went beyond this abstract notion.

The New York Times

As performed here, this literal, and visually striking, illustration of an abstract notion is quite moving.

The New York Times - Books

That can be tough in a bull market, when risk is an abstract notion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about complex topics, clarify what you mean by an "abstract notion" by providing concrete examples to make it more accessible to your audience.

Common error

Avoid treating an "abstract notion" as a concrete, tangible thing. Remember that it represents an idea or concept and needs to be handled accordingly in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abstract notion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It refers to an idea or concept that exists in the mind but is not tangible or concrete. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "abstract notion" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe concepts that aren't concrete or tangible, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts to discuss complex ideas, requiring careful clarification to avoid misunderstanding. While alternatives like "abstract concept" or "theoretical construct" exist, "abstract notion" maintains its relevance due to its versatile applicability across various formal and informal registers. Remember to contextualize such notions with concrete examples for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abstract concept

Replaces "notion" with "concept", emphasizing the mental representation of something.

theoretical construct

Uses "theoretical construct" to highlight the idea as a framework developed through reasoning.

conceptual abstraction

Inverts the order and uses "conceptual" to further emphasize the idea as based on concepts.

intangible idea

Substitutes "abstract" with "intangible" to emphasize the lack of physical presence.

conceptual idea

Uses "conceptual idea" emphasizing that the idea is based on a concept or mental understanding.

intellectual abstraction

Uses "intellectual abstraction" to highlight the role of the intellect in forming the abstract idea.

theoretical idea

Replacing "notion" with the word "idea", the alternative puts more focus on the theoretical aspect.

generalized idea

Replacing "abstract" with the term "generalized", this alternative highlights that the idea is not specific.

abstract principle

Swaps "notion" with "principle", highlighting the idea as a fundamental truth or proposition.

abstract thought

Uses "abstract thought" to refer to the process of thinking about abstract ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "abstract notion" in a sentence?

You can use "abstract notion" to describe something that is conceptual rather than concrete. For example: "Justice is an "abstract notion" that people interpret differently depending on their experiences".

What are some synonyms for "abstract notion"?

Alternatives to "abstract notion" include "abstract concept", "theoretical construct", or "intangible idea". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "abstract concept" or "abstract notion"?

Both "abstract concept" and "abstract notion" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. Concept might imply a more structured idea, while notion could suggest a more general or vague idea.

Why is it important to clarify "abstract notions" in writing?

Clarifying "abstract notions" ensures your audience understands your meaning. Because these terms are not concrete, they are open to interpretation. Providing context and examples prevents misunderstanding.