ancillary ideas

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ancillary ideas" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to supplementary or additional ideas that support a main concept or argument. Example: "In her essay, she explored several ancillary ideas that enhanced her main thesis about climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Each not only released transformational recordings from which a thousand ancillary ideas blossomed but created music that resonates today.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

So long as social Darwinism is disentangled from the ancillary eugenic and racist ideas, so long as it is viewed in its core form of the two theses about the glories of competition, the label President Obama pinned on the Republican budget is completely deserved.

The New York Times

Amazon calls the Kindle a "purpose-built device," leaving room for ancillary uses but preserving the idea that it has one central purpose.

The New York Times

As Whedon, whose post-Buffy fortunes have been mixed, told TVGuide.com recently: "The idea of doing movies about the ancillary characters got me excited, because I love those actors and I love that world.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Zell is trying to take the idea nationwide, with the help of new ancillary services like high-speed Internet connections.

The New York Times

The idea was to pull out of the ancillary valleys and areas and focus our effort along with the Afghan Army in the Key Terrain Districts and population centers.

Huffington Post

The idea is to guarantee basic benefits and allow ancillary benefits (like cost of living adjustments) to fluctuate based on the health of the pension fund.

The New York Times

One way or the other, crazy as it might sound, I think that providing ancillary services for social networking environments is not a bad idea.

TechCrunch

Like most people, the idea of an angel or a ghost was ancillary to my daily life.

Huffington Post

(He also floated the idea of merging income tax and national insurance, a complicated ancillary tax: he should have just got on with it).

The Economist

At the time I had not thought of myself as a slave, but I had been a weapon of conquest …" Leckie uses the idea of the empire's utilisation of conquered citizens as ancillary bodies to explore concepts of slavery, empire, and post-colonialism, while covering issues as diverse as individual identity, gender roles, wealth and the abuse of privilege.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ancillary ideas" when you want to emphasize that certain concepts are supportive and less crucial than the core idea, but still contribute to the overall understanding.

Common error

Avoid presenting "ancillary ideas" as central arguments. Clearly differentiate them from the main points to maintain focus and avoid diluting the core message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ancillary ideas" functions as a noun phrase where "ancillary" acts as an adjective modifying "ideas". It describes ideas that are supplementary or secondary to a main concept. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ancillary ideas" refers to secondary or supplementary thoughts that support a main concept. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it's grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly news and media. While not a frequently used phrase, understanding its meaning and appropriate usage can add nuance to your writing. Remember to keep these supporting ideas distinct from your central arguments to maintain clarity and focus. Ludwig's examples confirm that the phrase is most common in news articles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supplementary concepts

Focuses on the supporting nature of the ideas.

additional thoughts

Highlights the additive aspect of the ideas.

complementary ideas

Highlights how the ideas enhance or complete a main idea.

secondary notions

Emphasizes the lower importance compared to the main idea.

supporting concepts

Indicates the role of these ideas in reinforcing a primary concept.

related concepts

Highlights the interconnectedness of the ideas.

subsidiary ideas

Stresses the dependent relationship of these ideas to a primary one.

associated notions

Similar to 'related concepts' but may suggest a weaker link.

peripheral thoughts

Suggests the ideas are less central to the main topic.

tangential notions

Implies the ideas are only loosely connected to the main topic.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "ancillary ideas" in my writing?

Incorporate "ancillary ideas" to enrich your main argument, providing additional support and perspective without overshadowing the central thesis. Ensure these ideas are clearly linked to the primary concept.

What are some alternatives to "ancillary ideas"?

You can use alternatives like "supplementary concepts", "additional thoughts", or "supporting concepts" depending on the context.

What distinguishes "ancillary ideas" from essential concepts?

"Ancillary ideas" are secondary and supportive, providing context or additional details, whereas essential concepts are fundamental to the core argument or subject matter.

Is it appropriate to dedicate a significant portion of my writing to "ancillary ideas"?

While "ancillary ideas" can enhance your writing, dedicating too much focus to them may detract from your main argument. Keep the emphasis on the central concepts and use ancillary points judiciously.