communal experiment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "communal experiment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a collaborative or collective effort aimed at testing or exploring a concept, idea, or practice within a community. Example: "The communal experiment in sustainable living brought together residents to share resources and reduce their carbon footprint."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They joined us in what grew into a kind of anti-modern communal experiment: giving our gadgets a secular Sabbath; reveling in friendship and conversation of a kind that Facebook doesn't do; being thickly in one place, not thinly everywhere.

The New York Times

Their family, as the three are quick to make clear, is not a communal experiment, but rather more of a collaboration: As creative individuals each of whom wanted children, they have found a way to navigate the complicated work-life balance in ways that suit all their needs.

The New York Times

These images and earlier black-and-white clips documenting Mr. Alpert's tenure, with Timothy Leary, at an LSD-fueled communal experiment in Millbrook, N.Y., make you wonder about the novel Mr. Updike could conjure from this material, and about what epic follies and glories might be distilled in an unlikely Hollywood Ram Dass biopic, told with a reckless sociological sweep.

The New York Times

Because of her role, she was soon recognized as one of the most important figures of the transcendental movement and was invited to George Ripley's Brook Farm, a communal experiment.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Disney's Epcot was intended to stand as a shining "city on a hill" – a cultural beacon rooted in the deepest traditions of American optimism, its own inheritance clearly traceable in the writings of 17th-century Puritans such as John Winthrop, in the ideal communities of Disney's own childhood, and the many communal experiments of the mid-20th century.

The Guardian - Opinion

Brook Farm was one of at least 80 communal experiments active in the United States throughout the 1840s, though it was the first to be secular.

Wikipedia

Which made sense; she herself was just cycling through, on a short-term stay at the Ganas Community, Staten Island's three-decade-long communal living experiment.

The New York Times

"This is a communal experience.

Los Angeles Times

For now, the building has been temporarily filled with artists and trendy businesses, but the ghost of the communal living experiment lingers in the hallways of Narkomfin.

The Guardian

It was a centre of social reform in the early 1840s; for example, the city was the site of the founding of the Wisconsin Phalanx, which in 1844 established a communal living experiment based on the principles of the French social theorist Charles Fourier in what is now the area of Ripon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's a giant, communal, rock experience.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "communal experiment", ensure the context clearly indicates both the community aspect and the experimental nature of the undertaking. Provide specific details about the goals and processes involved to avoid vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "communal experiment" solely to describe shared living or community projects without highlighting the innovative or trial-based aspect. Clarify what's being tested or explored within the communal setting to justify the 'experiment' label.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "communal experiment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a specific type of undertaking: a collective or shared effort designed to test a concept, approach, or way of life within a community. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "communal experiment" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a collective attempt to test a novel approach within a community. According to Ludwig, while correct, it appears relatively infrequently, predominantly in news, encyclopedic, and wiki contexts, suggesting a neutral register. It's essential to clarify both the community aspect and the experimental nature when using this phrase. Alternatives like "collective initiative" or "community project" might be suitable depending on the intended emphasis. The phrase serves to identify and categorize such social endeavors, highlighting both the collaborative nature and the exploratory intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experimental collective

Similar to the original phrase but emphasizes the collective nature.

collective initiative

Focuses on the shared nature of the undertaking rather than its experimental aspect.

collaborative endeavor

Highlights the cooperative aspect of the undertaking, suitable for contexts emphasizing teamwork.

shared living arrangement

Emphasizes the residential aspect of a communal setup, useful when describing housing situations.

community project

Stresses the community involvement and benefit of the project.

cooperative venture

Highlights the joint and mutually beneficial nature of the undertaking.

social innovation

Suggests a novel approach to solving social problems through communal effort.

ecovillage project

Specifically refers to sustainable community living experiments focused on ecological practices.

intentional community

Highlights the planned and deliberate nature of the communal living arrangement.

utopian community

Implies an idealistic or visionary element to the communal experiment, often with aims of social perfection.

FAQs

How can I use "communal experiment" in a sentence?

You can use "communal experiment" to describe initiatives like intentional communities testing new models of living, or groups exploring alternative social structures. For instance, "The residents embarked on a "communal experiment" to reduce their environmental impact".

What are some alternatives to "communal experiment"?

Alternatives include "collective initiative", "collaborative endeavor", or "community project", depending on whether you want to emphasize the shared aspect, the cooperative effort, or the community benefit.

Is "communal experiment" the same as "communal living"?

No, while related, they aren't identical. "Communal living" refers to a shared living arrangement, whereas "communal experiment" implies a deliberate attempt to test or explore a concept or way of life within that shared setting. Not all communal living situations are "communal experiments".

What makes a project a "communal experiment" rather than just a community activity?

A "communal experiment" involves a deliberate hypothesis or test. It's not just about doing something together, but about actively exploring the effects of a certain approach or system within the community. It requires observation, data collection, and reflection on the outcomes.