develop an idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop an idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in any context where you want to express the notion of creating or expanding upon a concept or thought. For example, "I used my research to develop an idea for a new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Start opening doors in development meetings and encouraging everyone to speak up if they develop an idea.

Forbes

Pervasive computing entered health care in almost every setting, making it difficult to develop an idea of its typical implementation and maintain an overview of recent developments.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Fringe never sits still long enough to develop an idea or build tension.

The Guardian

Paul Farmer, Cornwall One theatre, God bless them, gave me seed money to develop an idea.

The Guardian

ProjectCSGIRLS challenged students to develop an idea that used technology to solve a social problem.

Harvard University

During the class, you'll develop an idea for a story you want to write, with opportunities for feedback.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

We are developing an idea together, from branding, logos and campaign ideas, to the final prototype.

The Guardian

He developed an idea of progress that conceded the slow, tortured journey toward it.

The New York Times - Books

The paper develops an idea on how to support designers' spatial communication by computers.

Knowledge-Based Systems

In the Heroides (Heroines) Ovid developed an idea already used by Sextus Propertius into something like a new literary genre.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His name is Muhammad ibn Arabi and he developed an idea that his translators called the "unity of existence".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "develop an idea" in academic writing, ensure the context clearly defines the scope and methodology used to expand upon the concept. For instance, specify research methods, theoretical frameworks, or experimental designs employed.

Common error

Avoid using "develop an idea" without specifying the steps or methods involved. Instead of stating "We need to develop an idea", detail the process: "We need to brainstorm, research, and prototype to develop an idea for a sustainable solution".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop an idea" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "develop" is the main verb and "an idea" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It signifies the process of creating, expanding, or refining a concept.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "develop an idea" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies the process of forming, expanding, or refining a concept. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. While broadly applicable, precise usage involves specifying the methods used in the idea's development. Alternatives like "formulate a concept" and "generate a thought" offer subtle variations in meaning. It's commonly found in authoritative sources such as The Guardian, Forbes, and The New York Times, and proper usage requires attention to the specific steps involved in the idea development process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formulate a concept

Focuses on the initial creation of a concept.

generate a thought

Emphasizes the mental act of producing a new thought.

conceive a notion

Highlights the mental grasping of an idea or belief.

cultivate an idea

Suggests a gradual and nurturing process of idea formation.

refine a concept

Implies improving an existing concept through detailed adjustments.

expand upon a concept

Focuses on adding details and breadth to an existing idea.

foster an idea

Implies creating a supportive environment for an idea to grow.

advance a notion

Highlights the act of moving an idea forward or promoting it.

evolve an idea

Indicates a gradual change and development of an idea over time.

shape an idea

Suggests molding an idea into a more defined or practical form.

FAQs

How can I use "develop an idea" in a sentence?

You can use "develop an idea" to describe the process of creating, expanding, or refining a concept, such as: "The project aims to "develop an idea" for reducing carbon emissions."

What are some alternatives to "develop an idea"?

Alternatives include "formulate a concept", "generate a thought", or "conceive a notion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate: "develop an idea" or "developing an idea"?

"Develop an idea" is typically used as an infinitive or imperative, while "developing an idea" is a gerund or present participle. For example, "We must "develop an idea"" versus "Developing an idea requires creativity."

What is the difference between "develop an idea" and "implementing an idea"?

"Develop an idea" refers to the creation and refinement of a concept, while "implementing an idea" refers to putting that concept into action. One precedes the other; you first "develop an idea", then you implement it.