evolving idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evolving idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concept or notion that is developing or changing over time. Example: "The evolving idea of sustainability has gained significant traction in recent years, influencing various industries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Or maybe the two are inseparable, considering that Dean hadn't yet developed beyond his own evolving idea of himself.

The New York Times

SPORTSSUNDAY The Court's Biggest Question The confirmation hearings of Judge John G. Roberts Jr. have cast a light on the Supreme Court's evolving idea of privacy.

The New York Times

For that reason, Mr. Schaller said, a hand-crafted rendering better conveys the sense of an evolving idea than a digital image that implies a fully finished design.

The New York Times

But the Dia and Pace shows outline the achievement of an impressively consistent, continually striving artist who has pursued an evolving idea of optical ity through stripes, waves, elongated toothsome wedges and diagonal patterns of all kinds, investigating different sites along the color spectrum in the process and even, at Dia, working directly on the wall.

The New York Times - Arts

Her fourth album, "Voyageur" — produced by Ms. Edwards with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, a romantic as well as musical partner — captures her in forward motion untethered by the old strings, and also embodies an evolving idea about what roots music can be.

The New York Times - Arts

I tell my students that if they want to understand modern American society, they should study both the evolving idea of equal protection and the history behind it: slavery, the Civil War, Jim Crow, the 14th Amendment and Brown v. Board of Education.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But it could also reflect evolving ideas of what is acceptable in the workplace, Bates added.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Others concerned evolving ideas of privacy, derived from experiences with Facebook and Google.

The New York Times - Magazine

The few existing historical studies of the genre, like Derek Bous? "Wildlife Films" (2000) and Cynthia Chris's "Watching Wildlife" (2006), double as studies of evolving ideas about human and animal behavior.

The New York Times

The few existing historical studies of the genre, like Derek Bousé's "Wildlife Films" (2000) and Cynthia Chris's "Watching Wildlife" (2006), double as studies of evolving ideas about human and animal behavior.

The New York Times

(This year the festival, opening on June 25, explores evolving ideas of Austrian identity as reflected in music from the Middle Ages to the Hapsburg Empire and beyond, with Mr. Harnoncourt scheduled to conduct Smetana's "Ma Vlast" and Haydn's "Creation").

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the development of a project or concept, use "evolving idea" to highlight its dynamic and iterative nature. This emphasizes that the idea is not static but continuously improving.

Common error

Avoid using "evolving idea" when the change is negative or uncertain. "Evolving" suggests improvement, so use neutral terms like "changing idea" if the direction is unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evolving idea" functions as a noun phrase, where 'evolving' acts as a present participle adjective modifying the noun 'idea'. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

42%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evolving idea" is a grammatically sound and useful term for describing concepts or plans undergoing development and change. As Ludwig AI states, its usage is correct and appropriate across different contexts. While not an extremely frequent phrase, it appears consistently in both news and scientific sources. Alternatives such as "developing concept" or "progressing notion" can be used depending on the specific nuance required. When using "evolving idea", ensure it accurately reflects a positive or progressive change, as 'evolving' inherently suggests improvement. Therefore, it's a valuable phrase to describe projects and concepts, while avoiding it when change is neither improving or clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developing concept

Replaces 'evolving' with 'developing', emphasizing the process of growth and refinement.

progressing notion

Substitutes both 'evolving' and 'idea' for synonyms, altering the tone slightly while preserving the core meaning.

maturing thought

Replaces 'evolving' with 'maturing,' suggesting a more advanced stage of development.

emerging perspective

Shifts the focus to a viewpoint that is just coming into existence or gaining prominence.

unfolding concept

Uses 'unfolding' to highlight the gradual revelation of an idea over time.

transforming thought

Emphasizes a significant change in the idea, suggesting a more dramatic alteration.

changing perception

Focuses on the shift in understanding or awareness rather than the idea itself.

shifting viewpoint

Highlights a change in the position or stance taken on a particular matter.

developing mindset

Similar to "developing concept" but focuses on an attitude instead.

in progress concept

Directly states concept is not complete yet.

FAQs

How can I use "evolving idea" in a sentence?

You can use "evolving idea" to describe a concept or plan that is developing and changing over time. For example: "The museum showcases the "evolving idea" of modern art through its collection."

What are some alternatives to "evolving idea"?

Some alternatives include "developing concept", "progressing notion", or "maturing thought". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "evolving idea" formal or informal?

"Evolving idea" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone than on the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "evolving idea" and "changing idea"?

"Evolving idea" typically implies a gradual and progressive development, whereas "changing idea" simply indicates that a shift or alteration has occurred, without necessarily suggesting improvement or advancement.