disprove the notion that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disprove the notion that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to challenge or refute a specific idea or belief. Example: "The latest research aims to disprove the notion that climate change is not influenced by human activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The Denver Nuggets will try to disprove the notion that a superstar is needed in the playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

His Republican opponents, meanwhile, were out to disprove the notion that they have no ideas on health care reform.

The New York Times

The 1,500 or so who have lost their lives already this year might disprove the notion that Mare Nostrum encouraged people to make the trip.

Independent

For his city, if not his party, the former mayor is hoping that the Republicans disprove the notion that Democrats just naturally throw better parties.

The New York Times

First, he would disprove the notion that senior EU people must come from countries that join in all EU policies, including the euro, defence and justice and home affairs.

The Economist

Let's put aside the fact that "It's a Wonderful Life," Alain Resnais's "Je T'Aime, Je T'Aime," and Chris Marker's "La Jetée" disprove the notion that the depiction of time travel is inherently frivolous — let's look adoringly at frivolity itself.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The victory disproved the notion that big servers win big matches.

The New York Times

"They disproved the notion that customers preferred service to low prices.

The New York Times

The poll disproves the notion that these attitudes towards sexual violence are dying away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The survey disproves the notion that the waters in chilly polar regions have a much poorer variety of fauna.

The Guardian

The Clinton years disproved the notion that higher taxes would inevitably stifle economic growth, or cost politicians their jobs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disprove the notion that", ensure you provide evidence or reasoning to support your claim. Avoid simply stating your disagreement without justification.

Common error

Be cautious not to use "disprove the notion that" when the evidence only weakens or challenges the idea, rather than definitively proving it false. Use phrases like "challenge the notion that" or "question the idea that" if your evidence isn't conclusive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disprove the notion that" functions as a verb phrase used to introduce a statement that aims to refute a specific idea or belief. This usage is supported by examples found by Ludwig, which demonstrates its role in academic, news, and general discourse.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "disprove the notion that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for challenging established ideas. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to introduce evidence and arguments that contradict specific viewpoints. Its usage spans diverse contexts, with a prevalent presence in News & Media and Science. While "disprove" implies a definitive refutation, alternatives like "challenge" or "question" may be more appropriate when the evidence is less conclusive. Remember to provide solid justification when using this phrase and avoid overstating the strength of your evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disprove the assumption that

Replaces "notion" with "assumption", focusing on challenging an unexamined belief.

reject the notion that

Replaces "disprove" with "reject", indicating a refusal to accept an idea rather than a demonstration of its falsity.

contradict the notion that

Substitutes "disprove" with "contradict", suggesting a direct opposition to the idea.

deny the notion that

Replaces "disprove" with "deny", implying a simple refusal to accept the validity of the idea.

invalidate the notion that

Substitutes "disprove" with "invalidate", suggesting the idea is being shown to be without legal or factual basis.

dismiss the notion that

Replaces "disprove" with "dismiss", implying a rejection of the idea as unworthy of consideration.

undermine the notion that

Replaces "disprove" with "undermine", suggesting a weakening of the idea's foundation.

repudiate the notion that

Substitutes "disprove" with "repudiate", indicating a formal rejection or denial of the idea.

rebut the notion that

Replaces "disprove" with "rebut", implying an attempt to prove the idea is false through evidence or argument.

negate the notion that

Replaces "disprove" with "negate", suggesting a cancellation or nullification of the idea.

FAQs

How can I use "disprove the notion that" in a sentence?

You can use "disprove the notion that" to introduce evidence or arguments that contradict a commonly held belief. For example, "New research aims to "disprove the notion that" exercise is only beneficial for physical health."

What are some alternatives to "disprove the notion that"?

You can use alternatives like "reject the notion that", "challenge the belief that", or "contradict the idea that" to express a similar meaning.

Which is more accurate, "disprove the notion that" or "challenge the notion that"?

"Disprove the notion that" implies a definitive refutation, while "challenge the notion that" suggests a questioning or weakening of the idea. The choice depends on the strength of your evidence. Use "challenge the notion that" when you are questioning the idea not completely rejecting it.

What's the difference between "disprove the notion that" and "prove the opposite of the notion that"?

"Disprove the notion that" directly contradicts the original idea, while "prove the opposite of the notion that" involves establishing the truth of an opposing claim. For example, disproving that exercise has benefits is different than proving that exercise is harmful.