figment of imagination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "figment of imagination" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that has been imagined or invented. For example: "His story of a flying person was nothing more than a figment of his imagination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It is a figment of imagination.

Independent

"He was a pure figment of imagination, a weapon in a war far removed from the traditional battle of bombs and bullets".

The New York Times - Books

Axact denied the allegations in a statement describing the New York Times story as "baseless, substandard, maligning, defamatory, and based on false accusations and merely a figment of imagination published without taking the company's point of view".

The Guardian

In his major work, The Life Divine, Sri Aurobindo starts from the fact of human aspiration for a kingdom of heaven on earth and proceeds to give a theoretical framework in which such an aspiration would be not a figment of imagination but a drive in nature, working through man toward a higher stage of perfection.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The existence of conduct disorder in Correctional Centres is, therefore, not a figment of imagination but a reality.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

For many outside the walls of academia, the scientific process remains largely a figment of imagination: a fuzzy blurring of Hollywood CSI-style lab detectives mixed with the mad chemist filling bubbling test tubes or the eccentric natural historian filling bug jars of pickled insects.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

They had woken this morning from an experience that was precisely like a nightmare — Technicolor catastrophes, figments of imagination, suspicion, now totally erased in the light of an ordinary day.

The New Yorker

He initially saw Ramakrishna's ecstasies and visions as "mere figments of imagination" and "hallucinations".

Wikipedia

They're a figment of the imagination.

The Economist

They are a figment of his imagination.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is a figment of the imagination.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "figment of imagination" to emphasize that something is not based on reality but rather on someone's thoughts or ideas. For example, "The monster under the bed was just a figment of his imagination."

Common error

Avoid using "figment of imagination" in formal or academic writing where more precise language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "unsubstantiated claim" or "theoretical construct" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "figment of imagination" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as a subject complement or object, describing something that is purely imaginary or unreal. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "figment of imagination" is a noun phrase used to describe something unreal or imaginary. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and indicates its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While grammatically sound, it's more appropriate for neutral contexts and might be too informal for strictly academic writing. When opting for alternative expressions, consider options like "creation of the mind" or "product of fantasy" for semantic similarity. Remember to leverage this phrase to underscore the lack of reality in a concept, and avoid overuse in formal scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creation of the mind

Focuses on the mental origin of something unreal.

product of fantasy

Highlights the role of fantasy in creating something unreal.

invention of the mind

Emphasizes the act of inventing or creating something within one's thoughts.

daydream

Implies a pleasant, but unrealistic, mental creation.

pure fabrication

Highlights the invented and potentially false nature of something.

fantasy

A general term for something imagined and unreal.

mental construct

Emphasizes the idea that something is built or created in the mind.

unfounded idea

Highlights the lack of a real basis for a belief or concept.

illusory concept

Implies that something is deceptive or misleading.

hallucination

Suggests a sensory experience that is not real.

FAQs

How can I use "figment of imagination" in a sentence?

You can use "figment of imagination" to describe something that is not real and exists only in someone's mind. For example, "Her fears were a mere "figment of imagination"."

What's a more formal way to say "figment of imagination"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "mental construct", "unsubstantiated idea", or "theoretical abstraction" instead of ""figment of imagination"".

Is "figment of imagination" always negative?

While often used to dismiss something as unreal or untrue, ""figment of imagination"" isn't always negative. It can also describe creative or artistic ideas that originate in the mind.

What is the difference between "illusion" and "figment of imagination"?

"Illusion" refers to a deceptive appearance or impression, while ""figment of imagination"" refers to something entirely created in the mind without basis in reality. An illusion might be a distorted perception of something real, whereas a figment of imagination is purely imaginary.