elusive ideas

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elusive ideas" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe concepts or thoughts that are difficult to grasp or understand fully. Example: "The artist's work often reflects elusive ideas that challenge the viewer's perception of reality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

These are ambitious and elusive ideas for a picture – or a series – to contain, and in many ways I think McConnell is grappling with the limits of photography, or even the impossibility of photography.

The Guardian - Arts

In answering this question, the authors engage Nietzsche's most elusive ideas, his exhortation that individuals strive to become more themselves (Be all that they can be, in the words of the United States Army's advertising slogan), by learning to love their fates ("Amor fati") and embracing what he called "eternal recurrence".

The New York Times - Books

And even more elusive ideas crept in.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The museum's newly opened Design Triennial takes the elusive idea of "beauty" as its theme – a topic contemporary criticism too often shies away from.

The Guardian - Arts

It gradually becomes clear that what's really at the center of the circle is a complex, elusive idea of blackness, as insistent in its invisibility as the troubled lives implied by liquor bottles and toys, and the stripped, walked-over bodies evoked by the discarded clothes.

The New York Times - Arts

Good teaching, be it art or science, seems to be an elusive idea for most of the professors I ve encountered in graduate school.

Science Magazine

"Historical trajectory" is an elusive idea.

Huffington Post

Beyond financial comfort, even practical dreams of education and savings remain an elusive idea for many nonwhite Americans.

Huffington Post

Long before the selfie became too ubiquitous for its own good, the self-portrait reigned supreme, the ultimate way to artistically explore the ever-perplexing and elusive idea of self.

Vice

How much of our private lives are we willing to give up for an elusive idea called "safe?" And has removing our shoes in airports, refraining from wearing underwire bras when going through screening systems, and allowing cameras to track our every move really made us safer?

Huffington Post

It was a great foundation for discipline, hard work and, unfortunately, the ever-elusive idea of perfection.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "elusive ideas", ensure the context provides some indication of why the ideas are difficult to grasp. This adds depth and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "elusive ideas" as a generic descriptor. Instead, specify which aspect of the ideas makes them elusive: their complexity, abstractness, or lack of concrete evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elusive ideas" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "elusive" modifies the noun "ideas". The phrase describes concepts that are difficult to grasp or define. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing philosophical concepts and artistic themes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "elusive ideas" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, denoting concepts that are difficult to grasp or define. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with some usage in scientific sources. While the phrase is valid, it is advisable to provide specific context about why the ideas are elusive. Alternatives such as "intangible concepts" or "abstract notions" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey. Ensure clarity by specifying the nature of the elusiveness, whether it stems from complexity, abstractness, or lack of evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intangible concepts

Replaces "elusive" with "intangible", emphasizing the lack of physical presence or concrete form rather than the difficulty in grasping.

abstract notions

Substitutes "elusive" with "abstract", focusing on the theoretical and non-concrete nature of the ideas.

hard-to-grasp concepts

Replaces "elusive" with a more explicit description of the difficulty in understanding.

difficult-to-define ideas

Shifts the focus from being hard to grasp to being hard to put into precise terms.

vague notions

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and precision in the ideas.

subtle concepts

Highlights the delicate and nuanced nature of the ideas, implying a need for careful attention.

obscure ideas

Suggests that the ideas are hidden or not easily discovered.

nebulous concepts

Implies that the ideas are hazy and ill-defined.

fleeting concepts

Suggests the ideas are transient and not easily retained.

ethereal ideas

This emphasizes the delicate and almost unreal quality of the ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "elusive ideas" in a sentence?

You can use "elusive ideas" to describe concepts that are difficult to understand or define. For example, "The philosopher grappled with "elusive ideas" about the nature of consciousness".

What are some alternatives to "elusive ideas"?

Some alternatives include "intangible concepts", "abstract notions", or "hard-to-grasp concepts", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes an idea "elusive"?

An idea is "elusive" when it is difficult to capture, define, or understand fully. This could be due to its complexity, abstract nature, or lack of concrete evidence.

Is it better to use "elusive ideas" or a more specific description of the idea?

While "elusive ideas" can be effective, providing a more specific description of the idea and the reason it's difficult to grasp often adds clarity and depth to your writing. Consider specifying whether the idea is complex, abstract, or lacks empirical support.