alien notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alien notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an idea or concept that is foreign or unfamiliar to someone. Example: "The concept of time travel was an alien notion to the scientists of the early 20th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Aging genever is not an altogether alien notion.

The New York Times

For young New Yorkers today, a scary New York is an alien notion.

The Economist

The concept of refrigerating produce to increase its shelf life is still an alien notion.

The New York Times

And this was always done with caution, with the awareness of introducing an alien notion into the language.

The New York Times - Books

Today, I'm increasingly finding animal farming an alien notion and find it very distressing to see the conditions some animals are kept in.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An omnivorously intellectual, ceaselessly philosophical son of nonmusical Iowa farmers, he explained that for a contemporary percussionist coming of professional age in the early 1970s goal-oriented career planning was an alien notion.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Alien notions such as individual freedom and human rights have recently made entry into their discourse.

The Guardian - Opinion

David Cameron, the Tory leader, is said to be interested and the chancellor, Gordon Brown, who wants to show he is not the top-down micro-manager depicted by his enemies, could be too.Whether such alien notions can be transplanted to Britain is questionable.

The Economist

Love it or loathe it, and even if he didn't deserve it, in Soviet days Lenin also embodied an idea that still resonates in the Russian and central Asian heart, and which many Westerners find alien: the notion that the good of the masses rises above the value of the individual.

The New York Times

The intriguing thing about Alien was its notion that space had become routine.

The Guardian - Film

There are few things more creepy than alien possession, the notion of one creature taking over another's body and bending it to different purposes.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "alien notion" when you want to emphasize that an idea is not just new, but fundamentally different from existing ways of thinking, especially when implying a cultural or experiential gap.

Common error

Avoid using "alien notion" when a simpler term like "new idea" or "unfamiliar concept" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where the idea truly represents a significant departure from established norms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alien notion" functions as a noun phrase where "alien" modifies the noun "notion". It describes a concept that is unfamiliar or foreign. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alien notion" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, signifying an idea or concept that is unfamiliar or foreign. Ludwig AI validates this, with examples drawn from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in various contexts including news, science, and formal business settings. When writing, use "alien notion" to emphasize the fundamental difference between a new idea and established norms, but avoid overusing it in simple contexts where other expressions such as "new idea" or "unfamiliar concept" would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foreign concept

Replaces "alien" with "foreign", emphasizing the unfamiliarity of the concept.

unfamiliar idea

Uses "unfamiliar" to highlight the lack of prior knowledge or experience with the idea.

strange concept

Emphasizes the unusual or peculiar nature of the concept.

novel idea

Highlights the newness and originality of the idea.

unconventional thought

Focuses on the deviation from accepted norms of thinking.

radical concept

Stresses the fundamental departure from established beliefs.

unheard-of concept

Implies that the concept is unprecedented and not previously known.

bizarre notion

Highlights the outlandish and eccentric quality of the idea.

outlandish idea

Focuses on the strangeness and remoteness of the idea.

eccentric concept

Emphasizes the deviation from the conventional or expected.

FAQs

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

You can use "alien notion" to describe something that is foreign or unfamiliar to someone. For example, "The concept of time travel was an "alien notion" to the scientists of the early 20th century."

What can I say instead of "alien notion"?

You can use alternatives like "foreign concept", "unfamiliar idea", or "strange concept" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "alien notion" in formal writing?

Yes, "alien notion" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when discussing concepts that are significantly different from established norms. However, consider your audience and the specific context to ensure clarity.

What's the difference between "alien notion" and "new idea"?

While both describe something not previously encountered, "new idea" simply refers to something recently conceived or discovered. "Alien notion" implies a greater degree of unfamiliarity, often suggesting that the idea clashes with existing beliefs or understanding.