concept of what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "concept of what" is not standard in written English and may be unclear without additional context.
It could be used when discussing an abstract idea or theory, but it typically requires further elaboration to convey a complete thought. Example: "The concept of what constitutes success varies greatly among individuals."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have no concept of what a fire is like".

The New Yorker

They had no concept of what a lit city was.

The New Yorker

The concept of what are good jobs is very broad.

The New York Times

That was his concept of what a mother should be".

The Guardian - Film

She had no concept of what this process was.

The New York Times

This is the generation that has no concept of what a shortage is, no concept of what it means to do with less or without.

The New York Times

"We really have no concept of what a musical career is," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

They have no concept of what it means to be in these clubs.

The New York Times - Arts

They just had no concept of what was going to be inside".

The New York Times

In other words, the concept of what is required for life to exist was suddenly changed.

Independent

"It runs so counter to the concept of what it means to be an American".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "concept of what", ensure that the "what" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "the concept of what constitutes good leadership" is more precise than a standalone "concept of what."

Common error

Avoid stacking abstract nouns. Instead of saying, "The concept of what the meaning of life entails", simplify it to "The meaning of life" or "The concept of life's meaning."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concept of what" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces an abstract idea or notion that requires further clarification or definition. As evidenced in the Ludwig examples, it prompts exploration of the nature or essence of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "concept of what" is a commonly used phrase that introduces an abstract idea requiring further clarification. While grammatically acceptable, it can often be replaced with alternatives like "idea of what" or "understanding of what" for greater clarity. Ludwig AI indicates its usage is acceptable. Its most frequent contexts are News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science with most authoritative sources being The New York Times and The Guardian. Ensure clarity by defining the 'what' and avoiding abstract stacking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conception of what

A more formal synonym for "concept", suitable for academic or technical contexts.

idea of what

Replaces "concept" with "idea", a more common and slightly less formal synonym.

notion of what

Substitutes "concept" with "notion", implying a more general or vague understanding.

the notion of what

Adding "the" specifies a particular notion previously mentioned or understood.

understanding of what

Focuses on the comprehension aspect of the concept.

perception of what

Emphasizes the subjective interpretation of something.

awareness of what

Highlights the state of being conscious or informed about something.

sense of what

Implies an intuitive or emotional grasp of something.

knowledge of what

Highlights the factual or informational aspect of the concept.

view of what

Presents a particular perspective or opinion on something.

FAQs

What is an alternative to saying "concept of what"?

You can use alternatives such as "idea of what", "notion of what", or "understanding of what" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "concept of what" in a sentence?

A typical usage of "concept of what" involves defining or exploring an idea. For example: "His concept of what constitutes art is very different from mine."

Is "concept of what" formal or informal?

The phrase "concept of what" is neutral but can often be replaced with more concise alternatives like "idea of what" or "understanding of what" for clarity, especially in formal writing.

What's the difference between "concept of what" and "idea of what"?

While similar, "concept" suggests a more structured or theoretical understanding, while "idea" implies a more general or basic understanding. The choice depends on the desired level of precision.