conception of how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conception of how" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe or refer to an idea or understanding of how something works or is done. For example, "This article provides an interesting conception of how people's social behaviors have changed over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most vexing in this context is Netanyahu's conception of how economic pressures might influence the regime.

The New Yorker

It was in keeping with Botvinnik's conception of how Black must contest the game.

The New York Times

People who write have their own strong conception of how things should go.

The New Yorker

Strategy is the organization's "conception" of how to deal with its environment for a while.

Harvard Business Review

The analysis of the results proposes the design conception of how to control the nutation motion.

Chinese Journal of Aeronautics

"These people have no conception of how much salt is too much salt," he said.

The New York Times

Effectively deploying AI requires a new conception of how software is developed, installed, and maintained.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Having raised popular expectations with pseudo-radical promises, she had no conception of how to fulfil them.

The Guardian

His music teacher later recalls with some embarrassment, "He really had no conception of how to play.

The New York Times

The tree illustrates his conception of how different life forms evolved, branching out from a single common ancestor.

The Guardian - Opinion

And when Campbell tore into Gilligan and the BBC he had no conception of how his attack would rebound.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conception of how" when you want to emphasize a considered and formed understanding, rather than a fleeting thought or simple awareness. It is appropriate in academic, professional, and general contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "conception of how" in very informal contexts where simpler terms like "idea of how" or "understanding of how" might be more appropriate. Overly formal language can sometimes sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conception of how" functions as a noun phrase that often introduces a clause explaining a method, process, or understanding. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate it clarifying views or approaches. For instance, Netanyahu's conception of how economic pressures might influence the regime shows its use in expressing a particular viewpoint.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "conception of how" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe an understanding or idea of how something works. Ludwig AI confirms this, demonstrating its frequent use across diverse contexts like news, science, and academia. While versatile, it's best suited for formal and neutral settings, where a more considered and structured understanding is being conveyed. Alternatives like ""understanding of how"" or "idea of how" may be preferable in casual contexts. The high frequency of "conception of how" in reputable sources underscores its appropriateness in formal and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understanding of how

Replaces "conception" with "understanding", focusing on comprehension.

perception of how

Substitutes "conception" with "perception", emphasizing awareness.

idea of how

Uses "idea" instead of "conception", indicating a general notion.

view of how

Replaces "conception" with "view", stressing a particular perspective.

notion of how

Employs "notion" instead of "conception", suggesting a belief.

theory of how

Uses "theory" instead of "conception", indicating a structured explanation.

model of how

Replaces "conception" with "model", focusing on a representation.

approach to how

Substitutes "conception" with "approach", emphasizing a method.

perspective on how

Uses "perspective" instead of "conception", stressing a viewpoint.

interpretation of how

Replaces "conception" with "interpretation", focusing on understanding meaning.

FAQs

What does "conception of how" mean?

The phrase "conception of how" refers to an understanding, idea, or mental representation of the manner in which something occurs or functions. It implies a considered view on a process or mechanism.

How can I use "conception of how" in a sentence?

You can use "conception of how" to describe someone's understanding of a process. For example, "His "understanding of how" the economy works differs greatly from hers".

What are some alternatives to "conception of how"?

Alternatives include ""understanding of how"", "perception of how", or "idea of how", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "conception of how" formal or informal?

"Conception of how" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. While not overly informal, consider using simpler alternatives like "idea of how" or "view of how" in very casual conversation.