carry an idea

USAGE SUMMARY

"carry an idea" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to convey or transport an idea. You can use it in various contexts such as discussing the impact or influence of an idea or describing how a person or group is spreading an idea. Example: The artist's paintings carry powerful ideas about social justice and equality. This sentence means that the artist's paintings communicate or convey important ideas about social issues such as fairness and equal rights.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When brands carry an idea from the edge to the center, it becomes mainstream.

The Guardian

Where the sensitive forms and their representations in solid space no longer carry an idea of the future.

City, Territory and Architecture

Use the child's name, ask about their personality (remember, parents of stillbirths or miscarriage often still carry an idea of what their child would be like), and acknowledge not only the parent's lifelong grief, but their strength and courage as well.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

These stories are sometimes similar to Aesop's tales, but they carry a different idea of what it is to lead a meaningful life.

HuffPost

But as anyone who has tried to carry out an idea from the boss knows, the real work is in the details.

The New York Times

"I became really aware of producers who could carry out an idea over decades and still make music that sounds like them," he says.

The Guardian - Music

A slim majority (51percentt) of Americans think the shooting could not have been prevented by allowing teachers to carry guns, an idea mentioned in an interview with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

The Washington Post

Republicans in at least six states plan to introduce legislation that would allow or require school staff to carry guns — an idea the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence called "insane".

Huffington Post

Too many travellers carry a naively romantic idea of doing good alongside their luggage.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is also something of Whitman's sensually democratic mood in Barber, for whom words seem to carry a blend of idea and sensation.

The New Yorker

Sometimes they experiment in multiple environments, carrying a single idea to social, industrial, and cultural fruition by learning to view traditional art-science barriers as a zone of creativity that Edwards calls artscience.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "carry an idea", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is conveying the idea. For example, "The book carries an idea of hope" is more effective than "An idea is carried."

Common error

Avoid using "carry an idea" in passive constructions where the subject conveying the idea is unclear. This can weaken the sentence and obscure the message. Instead, make sure the agent is explicitly stated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carry an idea" functions as a verb phrase where "carry" acts as a transitive verb, taking "an idea" as its direct object. This phrase signifies the act of conveying, embodying, or transmitting a particular concept. Ludwig shows several examples from various contexts, confirming its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "carry an idea" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that means to convey or embody an idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it can be used in various contexts to describe how a person, object, or medium communicates a concept. While relatively uncommon, it appears in news, science, and general writing. To ensure clarity, specify who or what is conveying the idea, and avoid passive constructions. Alternatives include "convey an idea", "communicate an idea", and "express an idea".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convey an idea

Focuses on the act of transmitting or communicating an idea.

communicate an idea

Emphasizes the successful transfer of an idea to someone else.

express an idea

Highlights the articulation and outward presentation of an idea.

transmit an idea

Suggests a more formal or technical way of passing an idea along.

advance an idea

Implies promoting or furthering the acceptance of an idea.

spread an idea

Indicates a widespread dissemination or propagation of an idea.

champion an idea

Suggests actively supporting and defending an idea.

embody an idea

Highlights how something can be a tangible representation of an idea.

develop an idea

Focuses on expanding and refining an idea.

explore an idea

Emphasizes a detailed investigation and analysis of an idea.

FAQs

What does it mean to "carry an idea"?

To "carry an idea" means to convey, communicate, or embody that idea. It suggests that something or someone is transmitting or representing a particular concept.

How can I use "carry an idea" in a sentence?

You can use "carry an idea" to describe how a person, object, or medium conveys a specific concept. For instance, "The artist's work "expresses an idea" about social justice."

What are some synonyms for "carry an idea"?

Alternatives to "carry an idea" include "convey an idea", "communicate an idea", "express an idea", or "transmit an idea". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "carry an idea" or "carry out an idea"?

"Carry an idea" and "carry out an idea" have different meanings. "Carry an idea" means to convey or represent an idea, while "carry out an idea" means to implement or execute it. For example, you might "carry an idea" through a painting, but "carry out an idea" by starting a business.