conceive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'conceive' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you want to express the idea of conceiving, or coming up with, an idea. For example, "She was able to conceive a solution to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Lost in Showbiz," they ask, "for the love of God, what news of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's plans to conceive a second child?" At this, Lost in Showbiz smiles benignly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The vast majority of women suffering from fistula are married off and conceive at a young age, increasing the risk of obstructed labour as their bodies are not fully developed.

The Guardian

I used to think that imaginative failure explained the relative lack of public concern about state and corporate surveillance: people simply cannot conceive where this stuff might be taking us, which is why we needed novelists such as Orwell and Aldous Huxley – and now Dave Eggers – to help us visualise potential dystopias.

The Guardian - Tech

He tries to imagine his remains – or, as Beckett puts it, "to conceive of his exuviae" – "as preserved in an urn or other receptacle in some kind person's sanctum or as drifting about like a cloud of randy pollen, but somehow he could not quite bring it off, this simple little flight".

The Guardian - Books

Any object you can conceive of having a USB attachment poking out of it is for sale, along with several hundred thousand that you can't.

The Guardian - Travel

Especially for childless pairs, longing to conceive, "addressing that is not on the list of priorities", Widra says.

The Guardian

– It is difficult to conceive why they should select a situation apparently so ineligible, and so incompatible with their usual shy and cautious habits, as the centre of a large town; but we hope they will not be molested, and that they will have no cause to repent the confidence they have thus reposed in mankind.

The Guardian

According to the usual phalanx of unnamed insiders, eager to breach the impenetrable wall of secrecy and reserve surrounding a woman who has agreed to have her uterus cleaned out on national television, the Kardashian-Wests have employed "a brigade of baby experts" to help them conceive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Talk to your doctor about your dilemma, because he or she has a better knowledge of your case than I could possibly do in this forum, and as such will be better able to assess how much at risk you may be if you were to conceive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Was I meant to tell my new partner that I might struggle to conceive?

The Guardian

A more overrated pedlar of leaden phrases it is hard to conceive.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, "conceive" effectively conveys the intellectual creation of ideas or plans. Use it when emphasizing a deliberate, thoughtful process.

Common error

Avoid using "conceive" in casual conversation where simpler words like "think of" or "imagine" are more appropriate. This prevents sounding overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conceive" is as a verb. It describes the action of forming an idea or plan, or the biological process of becoming pregnant. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "conceive" is a versatile verb used to express the formation of ideas or the beginning of pregnancy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in a wide range of writing. It is most common in news and media and formal contexts. When writing with "conceive", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean to create a plan, understand something, or become pregnant. For alternatives, consider "imagine", "think of" or "formulate". Remember that simpler language is better in casual conversation, but "conceive" is appropriate in a more formal and well considered setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conceptualize

Centers on forming a concept or abstract idea.

imagine

Focuses on forming a mental image, without necessarily implying origination or planning.

think of

Implies a less structured or formal process of considering something.

develop

Suggests a gradual unfolding or expansion of an idea.

formulate

Highlights the process of expressing something in a systematic way.

devise

Emphasizes ingenuity and inventiveness in creating something.

envisage

Implies a detailed and vivid mental picture of a future possibility.

believe

Focuses on accepting something as true or real.

consider

Suggests carefully thinking about something before making a decision.

gestate

Implies a slow process of development, like a pregnancy.

FAQs

How can I use "conceive" in a sentence?

You can use "conceive" to mean to form an idea, plan, or to become pregnant. For example, "She was able to "formulate" a solution to the problem" or "They struggled to "get pregnant" naturally".

What does "conceive" mean?

"Conceive" primarily means to form a plan or idea in the mind, or to become pregnant. The context will usually make the intended meaning clear.

What's a synonym for "conceive"?

Synonyms for "conceive" include "imagine", "think of", "formulate", or "envisage", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "conceive" in both intellectual and biological contexts?

Yes, "conceive" is correctly used in both intellectual (forming ideas) and biological (becoming pregnant) contexts. The meaning is usually clear from the surrounding words.