guiding notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "guiding notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a central idea or principle that directs thought or action in a particular context. Example: "The guiding notion behind our project is to promote sustainability and environmental awareness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The guiding notion was to "build back better".

The Guardian - Opinion

The guiding notion is that climate change today calls for the same kind of collective will, shared destiny, moral purpose, personal responsibility and strategic acumen as the other great movements, and that Gandhi's ideas and achievements are entirely germane to what needs to happen now.

The New York Times

For four and a half years, a guiding notion for volunteers was to promise little but deliver lots.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For its benefits -- including centralized decision-making that allowed Beijing to move rapidly towards widespread industrialization and to make progress on massive infrastructure projects -- it also results in the silencing of many, particularly those on the margins, those whose interests run afoul of government priorities or even official voices that run contrary to guiding notions.

Huffington Post

Beginning with the Reagan administration, conservative ideology was guided malignant notions that helping the rich get richer would inevitably help everyone else; i.e., greed was good.

Huffington Post

As an action-guiding notion, it must make use of a relevant standard of proof.

SEP

This very notion of guiding New Yorkers' decision making, however, has generated resentment of many of the mayor's initiatives.

The New York Times

The notion of guiding a juvenile mind away from a constant diet of "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody" might seem heretical to some at Disney, but surely shaping the tastes of the young is a fundamental part of taking care of them, a more benign aspect of the moral attentiveness that makes us inoculate them against disease and teach them not to steal.

The New York Times

Although Leibniz characteristically offers a wide range of arguments against the Cartesian identification of matter with extension, it will perhaps best serve our purposes to focus on three especially important arguments all rooted in the guiding idea that the notion of extension is simply too impoverished to provide an intelligible foundation for physics.

SEP

From the start, the team was guided by the notion that good ideas can come from anywhere or anyone.

The New York Times

In the mainstream media, the recent standard for pursuing open secrets has been murky, but generally guided by the notion that private behavior matters when it is at odds with public declarations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "guiding notion", ensure that the notion you are referring to is a clearly defined and central idea that genuinely directs the course of action or thought being discussed. Avoid using it for minor or tangential concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "guiding notion" when a simpler term like "idea" or "principle" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily complex. Be precise and choose the term that best fits the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "guiding notion" functions as a noun phrase that typically introduces a central idea or principle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The examples provided in Ludwig highlight its use in contexts ranging from reconstruction efforts to philosophical arguments.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "guiding notion" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to introduce a key concept or principle that directs thought or action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides real-world examples from news media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. While not extremely common, its usage is appropriate in various contexts. Alternatives include "core principle", "fundamental idea", and "underlying concept". When using this phrase, ensure the notion is clearly defined and central to the discussion, and avoid overuse in vague or overly complex contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Core principle

Substitutes "notion" with "principle", shifting the focus to a foundational rule or belief that directs action or thought.

Fundamental idea

Replaces "notion" with "idea", indicating a basic thought or concept that serves as a foundation.

Key concept

Highlights the importance and centrality of the idea.

Central tenet

Replaces "guiding" with "central", emphasizing the fundamental nature of the belief but implies a more formal declaration.

Underlying concept

Changes "guiding" to "underlying" and "notion" to "concept", stressing the foundational nature of the idea but implies a more scientific approach.

Basic premise

Emphasizes that the notion is used as a basis for reasoning or a starting point for a theory or argument.

Overarching theme

Shifts the focus to a recurring element that unifies different aspects.

Driving force

Suggests a more active and compelling influence.

Primary consideration

Highlights the importance given to such aspect.

Central hypothesis

This suggests the notion is used in a experimental setting as a starting point for further investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "guiding notion" in a sentence?

You can use "guiding notion" to introduce a fundamental principle or idea that influences a course of action or thought. For example, "The "guiding notion" behind the project was sustainability".

What are some alternatives to "guiding notion"?

Alternatives include "core principle", "fundamental idea", or "underlying concept", depending on the context.

Is "guiding notion" formal or informal?

"Guiding notion" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It is often found in news articles and academic papers.

What's the difference between "guiding notion" and "guiding principle"?

While similar, "guiding notion" refers to a general idea or concept, while "guiding principle" implies a more established rule or belief that directs action.