conceived

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'conceived' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the moment when a baby is first formed in the womb, or to refer to the moment when a new idea is created or thought of. Example sentence: He conceived the idea for the new product at a brainstorming session.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The resort was conceived when Frenchman Frédéric Alaime came to the area for a spot of horse riding in 2003 and decided – as you do – that he'd like to build a home there.

The Guardian - Travel

But the wider community also has a responsibility to that child; and, just as it does for the parents, that begins before the child is even conceived.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was Steven Spielberg's idea to build up the mogwai's role in the film, making it lighter in tone than originally conceived.

The Guardian - Film

It is also likely to be the best of the new London towers: it was conceived more than a decade ago, when building tall was still considered such a privilege that planners, like medieval priests selling indulgences, could demand such things from developers as the generous Popas and general quality of design.

The Guardian - Arts

A nation conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal, enslaved millions of people.

The Guardian - Tech

Conceived before the Australian War Memorial opened in 1921, this was to be a big, ambitious monument that would feature Saint George in stone on one side of a giant granite block, and the king in bronze opposite.

The Guardian

The band have completed unreleased songs, which were first conceived in the early 1990s, for new release The Endless River, with the first taster from the album trailed online today.

The Guardian - Music

"BT, Virgin and Sky operate in a way that was never conceived of by the current system of regulation.

The Guardian

Louise Brown, the first baby conceived through IVF, had been born, and we knew by then that DNA wasn't destroyed by nitrogen.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

So I think I can assess an ill-conceived plan when I see one.

The Guardian

Hungary did not rack up the biggest win in World Cup history because El Salvador were the worst team ever to reach the finals; rather, they were the happy beneficiaries of a monumentally ill-conceived tactical plan.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In contexts related to reproduction, "conceived" refers to the point at which pregnancy begins. Be mindful of the sensitivity surrounding this topic.

Common error

Avoid using "conceived" interchangeably with words like "perceived" or "received". "Conceived" refers specifically to the formation of an idea or the beginning of a pregnancy, while "perceived" means to become aware of through the senses, and "received" means to get or accept something.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conceived" is as a verb in the past tense or as a past participle. It signifies the action of forming an idea, plan, or notion in the mind or the beginning of a pregnancy. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the word.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "conceived" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a verb to denote the genesis of an idea or the commencement of pregnancy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its frequency is high, particularly in news, formal business settings, and scientific discourse. The phrase is appropriate for use in different registers but should not be confused with similar-sounding words like "perceived" or "received". When using "conceived", remember to emphasize the thoughtful initial development or the biological beginning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Originated

Focuses on the starting point or source of something, similar to "conceived" but less specific about the nature of the beginning.

Formed

Emphasizes the creation or shaping of something, which aligns with the idea of an idea being "conceived".

Created

A more general term for bringing something into existence, while "conceived" implies a specific process of origination.

Began

A general term for the start of something, less nuanced than "conceived" in terms of idea formation or pregnancy.

Started

Similar to "began", but implies a more active initiation, while "conceived" can be passive.

Initiated

Focuses on the act of starting a process or project, unlike the more holistic origination implied by "conceived".

Developed

Highlights the gradual growth and evolution of an idea, differing from the initial spark implied by "conceived".

Imagined

Focuses on the mental picture or visualization aspect of creating something, unlike the broader sense of "conceived".

Gave birth to

More directly related to the biological sense of "conceived", referring to the start of a pregnancy.

Invented

Implies the creation of something entirely new, distinct from the formation of an idea already present in some form.

FAQs

How can I use "conceived" in a sentence?

You can use "conceived" to describe the beginning of a pregnancy, as in, "The baby was conceived in the spring". It can also describe the initial formation of an idea, for example, "The project was conceived as a way to improve community relations".

What's the difference between "conceived" and "created"?

"Conceived" emphasizes the initial formation of an idea or the beginning of a pregnancy, while "created" is a more general term for bringing something into existence. "Conceived" suggests a specific moment of origination.

What are some synonyms for "conceived"?

Alternatives for "conceived" include "originated", "formed", and "imagined", depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "badly conceived"?

Yes, "badly conceived" is correct and used to describe something (like a plan or idea) that was poorly thought out or designed from the beginning. For example, "The plan was badly conceived and ultimately failed".