as a conceptual example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a conceptual example" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to illustrate a point or idea using a theoretical or abstract scenario. Example: "To clarify the importance of teamwork, let me present a situation as a conceptual example: imagine a group of individuals working together to solve a complex problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even the dreamscape itself can serve as a conceptual example of the divine unity that characterizes many religions.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Each of the conditions is illustrated by a conceptual example.

Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing

A conceptual example of TIGER MADE's capabilities is presented in Figure 5.

BMC Systems Biology

River and groundwater hydrology are beyond the scope of this manual, so that only a conceptual example is provided.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

And it occurred to me that it might be useful to offer a simple conceptual example – the kind of thing easily turned into a numerical example as well – to clarify the possibility.

The New York Times

Or maybe a more conceptual example, let's look at this a.

Cornell University

Mischel was a great example of the academic as a conceptual entrepreneur.

Princeton University

We used de Vries' model as a conceptual framework [ 19].

BMC Family Practice

The Health Belief Model was used as a conceptual framework.

BMC Public Health

They consider the notion of activity as a conceptual tool for designing integrated systems, and point to the Kimura and Activity-Based Computing systems as examples.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I see it as a conceptual art project".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a conceptual example" when you want to introduce an abstract situation to illustrate a theoretical idea or principle. It's particularly useful in academic or technical writing where clear understanding of concepts is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "as a conceptual example" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Simpler phrases like "for example" or "imagine this" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a conceptual example" functions as an introductory phrase. It signals that the speaker or writer is about to present an abstract or theoretical situation to clarify a concept. Ludwig confirms this with examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

32%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a conceptual example" is a grammatically correct introductory phrase used to present an abstract or theoretical scenario to illustrate a complex concept. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most appropriate for formal and scientific contexts, such as academic papers or technical documents. Although it is less frequent than simpler alternatives like "for example", it serves a valuable function in enhancing understanding through abstract illustration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an illustrative case

Replaces "conceptual example" with "illustrative case", focusing on the illustrative nature of the example.

as a hypothetical scenario

Substitutes "conceptual example" with "hypothetical scenario", implying a situation created for the sake of the argument.

as a theoretical instance

Replaces "conceptual example" with "theoretical instance", highlighting the theoretical aspect of the example.

as a thought experiment

Substitutes "conceptual example" with "thought experiment", suggesting a more elaborate, mentally constructed example.

for the sake of illustration

Rephrases the entire phrase to focus on the purpose of the example, i.e. illustration.

to demonstrate the concept

Replaces "as a conceptual example" focusing on clarifying concept instead of giving conceptual example.

consider this scenario

Offers a direct way to introduce an example scenario.

by way of example

Provides a more concise and direct way to introduce an example.

as a case in point

Presents the example as a specific and relevant instance of the concept.

let's consider the following

Offers a way to introduce an example for explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "as a conceptual example" in a sentence?

You can use "as a conceptual example" to introduce a theoretical situation that helps illustrate a concept. For instance, "To understand network effects, consider the following as a conceptual example: a social media platform becomes more valuable as more users join it".

What are some alternatives to "as a conceptual example"?

Alternatives include "as an illustrative case", "as a hypothetical scenario", or "for the sake of illustration". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "as a conceptual example"?

It's appropriate in formal writing, academic papers, or technical documents where you need to clarify a concept using a theoretical or abstract illustration. It's less suitable for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "as a conceptual example" and "for example"?

"As a conceptual example" is more formal and suggests a theoretical or abstract situation, while "for example" is more general and can introduce a real-world instance or a simplified illustration. The phrase "for example" is typically suitable for both formal and informal contexts.