high notions

USAGE SUMMARY

"high notions" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to high levels of expectation or grand ideas. For example: His parents held high notions about what he should do with his life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Such high notions.

The Guardian - Books

"She has high notions," Mena says disdainfully, as she plots with the matchmaker (Patrick Fitzgerald) to arrange a marriage for Sive, ruining her dreams and her romance with a young man.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In his note of thanks, Darwin wrote: "From quotations which I had seen I had a high notion of Aristotle's merits, but I had not the most remote notion of what a wonderful man he was.

The Guardian - Books

As for whether there will continue to be readers who share this high notion of fiction, well, "there's no future to that question," as Duke Ellington replied when asked why he was to be found playing morning programs at the Apollo.

The New York Times - Books

The clip below highlights the higher notions behind Mann's filmic devotion to Miller's artistry.

The New Yorker

Jevons also takes distance from Comte's positivistic philosophy, by arguing — like Spencer — that scientific reflection on higher notions of creation must necessarily end up in contradictions.

SEP

"What would have happened to the human race if Abraham had... kept his higher notions to himself, and no specific Jewish people had come into being?

Huffington Post

It's also a tribute to a higher notion of culture, an uninhibited one that admits the bodily drives without shame or reproach.

The New Yorker

How ironic that Perrier, which is owned by Nestle, undermines the very highest notion of human possibilities by doing the very thing that should not have entered the realms of possibility.

The Guardian

High-minded notions about open economies and the benefits of free trade don't cut it.

The Guardian

Where modernism was about high-minded notions such as essence and truth to materials, perhaps even a social agenda, postmodernism was about surfaces and signs.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "high notions" to characterize someone's ambitious or idealistic beliefs, especially when those beliefs might be seen as unrealistic or overly optimistic.

Common error

Avoid using "high notions" when you simply mean someone has strong ethical principles. "High ideals" is more appropriate in contexts focused on morality and ethics, while "high notions" often implies impracticality or grandiosity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "high notions" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "high" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "notions". It typically describes a set of beliefs, ideas, or aspirations that are considered lofty, ambitious, and sometimes unrealistic or impractical. Ludwig shows how the phrase is utilized in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "high notions" is a noun phrase used to describe ambitious or idealistic beliefs that are often viewed as impractical or unrealistic. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts. While "high notions" is not a highly frequent expression, it appears across diverse sources, including news media, science, and encyclopedias. When using "high notions", be mindful of its implications of grandiosity or impracticality and choose it when you want to convey skepticism or critical distance from the ideas being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grand aspirations

Emphasizes the ambitious and lofty nature of the goals.

lofty ambitions

Similar to grand aspirations, but with a stronger emphasis on personal drive.

ambitious ideals

Highlights the idealistic and aspirational aspect of the ideas.

exalted expectations

Focuses on the high level of anticipation and hope.

inflated opinions

Suggests an exaggerated or unrealistic self-assessment.

grandiose schemes

Implies elaborate and often impractical plans.

idealistic beliefs

Stresses the adherence to principles and values, often in a naive way.

overambitious plans

Highlights the excessive nature of the planning.

unrealistic expectations

Focuses on the impractical nature of the anticipations.

pretentious ideas

Implies that the ideas are showy and intended to impress others.

FAQs

How can "high notions" be used in a sentence?

You can use "high notions" to describe someone who has ambitious or idealistic beliefs that are perceived as somewhat unrealistic. For example, "She had "high notions" about reforming the education system single-handedly".

What is a good alternative to "high notions"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "grand aspirations", "lofty ambitions", or "ambitious ideals".

Is it better to say "high ideals" or "high notions"?

The choice depends on the context. "High ideals" refers to strong moral or ethical principles, while "high notions" typically refers to ambitious or unrealistic beliefs. Using "high ideals" is more appropriate when discussing morality, while "high notions" is better for describing impractical or grandiose ideas.

What's the difference between "high notions" and "unrealistic expectations"?

"High notions" refers to ambitious ideas or beliefs that may be perceived as unrealistic, while "unrealistic expectations" focuses specifically on anticipations or predictions that are unlikely to be fulfilled. The former is broader and can encompass beliefs, while the latter is narrower and pertains to expectations.