an overall conception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overall conception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a general understanding or idea about a particular subject or concept. Example: "The project aims to provide an overall conception of the environmental impacts of urban development."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Royal inscriptions from the 12th dynasty (1938 1756 bce) to Ptolemaic times aim to present a king's actions according to an overall conception of "history," in which he is the re-creator of the order of the world and the guarantor of its continued stability or its expansion.

Britannica

Royal inscriptions from the 12th dynasty (1938 1756 bc) to Ptolemaic times aim to present a king's actions according to an overall conception of "history," in which he is the re-creator of the order of the world and the guarantor of its continued stability or its expansion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Past studies have reported an overall conception rate of 56.9% in India (Sahani et al. 2003).

Pastoralism

Long-term follow-up information was available in 91% of the patients, and there was an overall conception rate of 40.5%.

Duke University

Based on the wave transmission mechanism and principle of vibration energy harvesting, an overall conception on continuous measurement of stiffness and long-term stiffness monitoring for special sections was proposed.

Journal of Modern Transportation

Identifying supererogation with a weaker kind of duty, an imperfect duty, a non-universalizable duty, an 'ought' rather than a duty are all forms of recognition of supererogatory acts but only as being an integral part of an overall conception of duty.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Despite their many differences, the accounts of Hempel (focusing now on just the DN rather than the IS model), Salmon, Kitcher and others discussed above largely share a common overall conception of what the project of constructing a theory of explanation should involve and (to a considerable extent) what criteria such a theory should satisfy if it is to be successful.

SEP

The soloists' approach brought out the poignant elegance of the movement and made it seem more a part of the overall conception: more a part of life, in a way, where happy and sad states simply coexist.

The New York Times - Arts

The elemental first movement, the mournful Adagio, the weighty scherzo and the elusive finale all emerged as parts of an overall architectonic conception of the work.

The New York Times

Students will move from the reading/performing of individual speeches to the staging of scenes to the question of how an overall theatrical conception for a play might be a key to the fullest understanding of the text.

Princeton University

It's not a matter of arcane moves but the overall conception of strategy that is in question.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overall conception", ensure it accurately reflects the breadth and scope of the idea you're trying to convey. Avoid using it for narrow or specific understandings.

Common error

Don't use "an overall conception" when discussing specific aspects or minor details; reserve it for summarizing comprehensive understandings or strategies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overall conception" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes a comprehensive understanding or idea. Ludwig highlights its appropriate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an overall conception" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It signifies a general or comprehensive understanding of a subject or concept. While the phrase is not extremely common, it is well-suited for use in formal, scientific, and news contexts. Ludwig's examples, sourced from reputable publications like Britannica and The New York Times, showcase its usage in describing broad ideas and strategic approaches. When using "an overall conception", remember to ensure that it accurately reflects the breadth and scope of the idea being presented and don't use it when discussing specific aspects or minor details. Alternative phrases include "a general understanding" and "a comprehensive idea".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a general understanding

Emphasizes a broad, non-specific comprehension.

a comprehensive idea

Highlights the completeness and thoroughness of the idea.

a broad perspective

Stresses the wide-ranging viewpoint.

a holistic view

Focuses on understanding something as a whole, interconnected system.

a comprehensive grasp

Suggests a firm and complete understanding.

a strategic overview

Implies a high-level understanding for planning purposes.

an integrated approach

Highlights the combination of different elements into a unified whole.

a global vision

Emphasizes a wide-ranging, all-encompassing perspective.

a cohesive framework

Focuses on a structured and unified system of understanding.

a unified concept

Highlights the consistency and singleness of the idea.

FAQs

How can I use "an overall conception" in a sentence?

You can use "an overall conception" to describe a general understanding or idea about something, as in "The project provides an overall conception of the environmental impacts of urban development".

What are some alternatives to "an overall conception"?

Alternatives include "a general understanding", "a comprehensive idea", or "a broad perspective" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "overall conception" or "general idea"?

"Overall conception" implies a more structured and comprehensive understanding, while "general idea" suggests a less detailed or fully formed understanding. The best choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "an overall conception" and "a detailed plan"?

"An overall conception" refers to the general understanding or vision, while "a detailed plan" refers to the specific steps and actions required to achieve that vision. One provides the framework, the other the execution.