concept that

USAGE SUMMARY

'concept that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a referring clause, e.g. "The concept that time is relative has been accepted by scientists for centuries".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Interesting concept that.

The Guardian

What a concept that is, huh?

The New York Times

Carroll added, "It's a concept that bears working on".

The New York Times - Sports

Still, it's a concept that refuses to go away.

The New York Times

But "wilderness" is a tricky concept that bears examination.

The Guardian - Film

It was a concept that confounded the imam.

The New York Times

"This is a concept that will revolutionize book sales.

The New York Times

It was this concept that made our revolution truly unique.

The New York Times

A second key concept that has crept downward is trauma.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is also a concept that alarms many scientists.

The Guardian

A concept that is more appealing now than ever.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "concept that", assure clarity by closely linking the clause with a directly preceding noun. This enhances comprehension and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "concept that" to introduce general statements or opinions not directly related to a specific idea already mentioned. For example, instead of "The "concept that" everyone should be nice", consider "The belief that everyone should be nice" or simply "Everyone should be nice".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concept that" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a noun clause that elaborates on or specifies a particular concept. Ludwig AI confirms that is a valid and common construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Vice

5%

Forbes

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "concept that" serves to introduce and elaborate on a particular idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, including news, science, and general media. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it is crucial to use it to introduce concepts clearly related to the main subject. If needed, consider alternatives such as "idea that" or "notion that" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notion that

Substitutes "concept" with "notion", indicating a slightly more abstract or theoretical idea.

the thought that

Replaces "concept" with "thought", suggesting a specific instance of thinking or consideration.

understanding that

Changes "concept" to "understanding", focusing on comprehension or awareness.

idea which

Replaces "concept" with "idea" and "that" with "which", suitable for non-restrictive clauses.

theory that

Substitutes "concept" with "theory", referring to a well-substantiated explanation.

principle that

Replaces "concept" with "principle", emphasizing a fundamental truth or basis.

the perspective that

Changes "concept" to "perspective", indicating a particular viewpoint or way of regarding something.

belief that

Replaces "concept" with "belief", implying a personal conviction or acceptance.

the viewpoint that

Replaces "concept" with "viewpoint", highlighting a specific opinion or attitude.

the idea being that

Reformulates the phrase to emphasize the underlying idea or intention.

FAQs

How do I use "concept that" in a sentence?

Use "concept that" to introduce a clause that explains or elaborates on a previously mentioned idea. For example: "The "concept that" the Earth is round was once controversial".

What can I say instead of "concept that"?

You can use alternatives like "idea that", "notion that", or "principle that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "concept that" or "the concept is"?

"Concept that" introduces a clause that explains the concept. "The concept is" introduces a definition or description. For example, "The "concept that" faster-than-light travel is impossible is widely accepted" vs. "The concept is a general notion or idea".

Is "concept that" formal or informal language?

"Concept that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than on the phrase itself.