an intriguing concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an intriguing concept" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing an idea or notion that captures interest or curiosity. Example: "The theory presented in the lecture was an intriguing concept that sparked a lively debate among the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

In any case, it's an intriguing concept.

The New York Times - Tech

Fear of crime is an intriguing concept for criminologists.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was an intriguing concept and an even more entertaining presentation.

University of California, Berkeley

"So while it's an intriguing concept, it's still in the very early stages".

The New York Times

The idea of the power of three was an intriguing concept.

The New York Times

Her admiration of wrinkles and crevices goes beyond the surface, however, to an intriguing concept.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"It's a very intriguing concept," Ginnold said.

University of California, Berkeley

Clues for the existence of coupling between transcription and miRNA regulation emerged from a very intriguing concept, called miRNA-target avoidance.

Aging

"This is not a definitive study, but it is an interesting and intriguing concept that could really help people," Dr. Spector said.

The New York Times - Science

While online gaming successes have been rare, voting technology has been a vague, but intriguing concept.

MIT Technology Review

This latest movie starts with a bold and intriguing concept, but is bafflingly muted and underpowered, its initial promise fading as it drifts away to a self-conscious conclusion.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an intriguing concept" when you want to introduce an idea that is interesting and worthy of further exploration. It suggests the concept has potential and invites deeper consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "an intriguing concept" in very informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "an interesting idea" or "a cool concept" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an intriguing concept" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "intriguing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "concept". Ludwig examples show its usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

6%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an intriguing concept" is a versatile phrase used to introduce ideas that spark curiosity and warrant deeper investigation. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse fields, including news, science, and academia. While predominantly neutral to formal in register, it can adapt to various communication styles, with some synonyms being "a captivating idea" or "a fascinating notion". When employing this phrase, writers should aim to use it to set the stage for more discussion and avoid overusing it in overly informal scenarios. Top authoritative sources using this expression are The New York Times, The Guardian, Huffington Post, TechCrunch, and Forbes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a captivating idea

Replaces "intriguing" with "captivating", suggesting a stronger sense of fascination.

a curious concept

Replaces "intriguing" with "curious", suggesting something that piques interest.

a fascinating notion

Swaps both words for synonyms, emphasizing interest and curiosity.

a thought-provoking idea

Replaces "intriguing" with "thought-provoking", focusing on stimulating reflection.

a stimulating idea

Highlights the idea's ability to encourage thought or discussion.

a compelling proposition

Uses "compelling" instead of "intriguing", implying a persuasive quality.

a remarkable notion

Emphasizes the unusual or exceptional quality of the idea.

a unique concept

Stresses the originality and distinctiveness of the concept.

an interesting theory

Substitutes "concept" with "theory", suitable when referring to an explanation or model.

a novel idea

Replaces "intriguing" with "novel", emphasizing the newness of the idea.

FAQs

How can I use "an intriguing concept" in a sentence?

You can use "an intriguing concept" to introduce an idea that captures interest and curiosity, as in, "The author presented "an intriguing concept" about the nature of time travel".

What are some alternatives to "an intriguing concept"?

Alternatives include "a captivating idea", "a fascinating notion", or "a thought-provoking idea", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "an intriguing concept"?

While grammatically correct, using "an intriguing concept" might be too formal for casual conversations. In such cases, consider using simpler phrases like "an interesting idea" or "a cool idea".

What makes a concept "intriguing"?

A concept is "intriguing" when it sparks curiosity, offers a fresh perspective, or presents a puzzle that invites further exploration. It suggests the concept is not only interesting but also has depth and potential significance.