conceive of it as

USAGE SUMMARY

"conceive of it as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when an idea or concept needs to be considered from a new, different perspective. For example, "He wasn't sure he wanted to take on another job, but after considering it from a different point of view, he began to conceive of it as an exciting challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

If you conceive of it as autobiographical, then its journey to the final extinguishing of all hope in its final bars, and the last, shocking appearance of the fatalistic rhythm that has dominated both the first movement and the finale, is limited in its power: it depicts a figure who is someone apart from us – Mahler himself, or some other symphonic super-ego.

The Guardian - Music

He points out that conceiving of the reduction of these temporal asymmetries to that of the entropic arrow evades many of its obvious shortcomings if we conceive of it as a potential a posteriori scientific reduction of the kind now very familiar.

SEP

Because some of the only times we hear about abortion is in Very Special Episodes or emotional magazine true stories, it's easy to conceive of it as a massive event, life-altering in its trauma the memory of it and What Could Have Been rippling into the future for both parties.

Vice

Because some of the only times we hear about abortion is in Very Special Episodes or emotional magazine true stories, it's easy to conceive of it as a massive event, life-altering in its trauma; the memory of it and What Could Have Been rippling into the future for both parties.

Vice

To what extent does he conceive of it as a renewal of structures and institutions?

The New York Times

But did the Babylonians conceive of it as a "theorem" — a timeless truth subject to proof based on accepted principles?

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

In fact, when Drucker writes of the profession of management, he invariably conceives of it as a discipline that teaches its practitioners to identify the constellations of significance in the otherwise chaotic flow of information and circumstance.

Harvard Business Review

The 1963 March on Washington is now understood as a massive demonstration in support of the Civil Rights Act, but A. Philip Randolph — a labor leader and its chief architect — initially conceived of it as a gathering to protest economic exploitation.

The New Yorker

I conceived of it as an experiment.

The Guardian - Books

I conceived of it as architecture.

The New York Times - Arts

They conceived of it as three modules: the main house, conservatory and office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conceive of it as", ensure the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "conceive of it as" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "think of it as" or "see it as" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conceive of it as" functions as a phrasal verb used to express a way of understanding, interpreting, or thinking about something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and frequently used in written English to introduce different perspectives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conceive of it as" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express a particular understanding or interpretation of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially in written English. While it's suitable for a range of contexts, from News & Media to Academia, it's worth noting its slightly formal tone, which may make simpler alternatives more appropriate for informal settings. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity and precision to effectively introduce a new perspective or idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

think of it as

Simple substitution with a more common verb.

view it as

Replaces "conceive" with a more straightforward synonym.

regard it as

More formal alternative to "think of it as".

understand it as

Focuses on the understanding aspect of the phrase.

interpret it as

Emphasizes the act of assigning meaning.

consider it to be

A more explicit and formal construction.

perceive it as

Highlights the subjective experience of understanding.

take it to be

Suggests a specific interpretation or belief.

deem it to be

More formal and emphasizes judgment.

imagine it as

Introduces an element of visualization or creativity in the interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "conceive of it as" in a sentence?

You can use "conceive of it as" to introduce a particular way of understanding or interpreting something. For example, "Rather than seeing failure as a setback, you can "conceive of it as" a learning opportunity".

What can I say instead of "conceive of it as"?

You can use alternatives like "think of it as", "view it as", or "regard it as" depending on the desired level of formality and nuance.

Is "conceive of it to be" grammatically correct instead of "conceive of it as"?

While "conceive of it as" is the more common and natural phrasing, "consider it to be" expresses a similar sentiment and is grammatically correct, though slightly more formal.

What is the difference between "conceive of it as" and "imagine it as"?

"Conceive of it as" suggests a rational understanding, while "imagine it as" implies a more creative or hypothetical interpretation.