i fancy the idea of

USAGE SUMMARY

"I fancy the idea of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express your approval or liking for something. For example, "I fancy the idea of having a party at the beach this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I fancy the idea of increasing my chances of staying alive.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When I was small, I wanted to be a ballet dancer, then I fancied the idea of being a window-dresser (someone who does the displays in huge department store windows).

The Guardian

Edward Albee, playwright I quite fancy the idea of Brazil at Carnaval time.

The New York Times

I rather fancy the idea of being waited on hand and foot, with all my meals cooked and washed up, my clothes washed and no arguments over what we're watching on TV.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And I don't fancy the idea of being answerable to anyone," he shrugs, puffing away at his cigar, during a rare interview with Forbes Asia.

Forbes

"Five days earlier, in coming along the line to shake everyone's hand, Howard squeezed my wife's hand so tight, she turned to me and said, 'That little fella crushed my hand.' At a time when we talk about the problem of domestic violence, I didn't fancy the idea of this little bloke crushing my wife's hand to the point where she was almost crying".

Vice

"I don't really fancy the idea of going to prison," she says.

The New Yorker

I guess she didn't fancy the idea of me dying or dropping bombs on anyone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I guess most players don't fancy the idea of having to struggle for a year before consolidating.

The Guardian - Sport

He doesn't fancy the idea of representing the United States, either, if asked.

The New York Times - Sports

Full day including lunch £52.50, half day £39.50 Fancy the idea of cheating death three times in one day?

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "i fancy the idea of" to express a mild preference or enjoyment of a concept, plan, or possibility. It is suitable when you want to convey a positive but not overly enthusiastic feeling.

Common error

While acceptable, overuse of "i fancy the idea of" in highly formal or professional writing can sound too informal. Opt for alternatives like "i am inclined to support" or "i find the prospect appealing" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i fancy the idea of" primarily functions as an expression of preference or inclination toward a particular concept or possibility. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a correct phrase. It conveys a positive sentiment without strong enthusiasm.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "i fancy the idea of" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for expressing a mild preference or enjoyment. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and can be used to express approval or liking. While originating from British English, its use has expanded. It's commonly found in news and media contexts, though it's best to avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Consider using alternative phrases like "i am inclined towards" or "i find the prospect appealing" for such scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i am all for the idea of

Expresses strong support or agreement with the idea.

i am inclined towards the idea of

Adds "inclined towards", suggesting a leaning or tendency towards the idea.

i am drawn to the concept of

Replaces "fancy" with "am drawn to" and "idea" with "concept", suggesting a stronger attraction.

i am keen on the notion of

Substitutes "fancy" with "am keen on" and "idea" with "notion", indicating enthusiasm.

i am partial to the thought of

Replaces "fancy" with "am partial to" and "idea" with "thought", implying a liking or fondness.

i find the prospect of appealing

Changes the structure to focus on the "prospect" being appealing rather than the personal preference.

i am taken with the suggestion of

Replaces "fancy the idea" with "am taken with the suggestion", implying charm and attraction.

i am enthusiastic about the possibility of

Emphasizes excitement and replaces "idea" with "possibility", indicating anticipation.

i like the sound of

A more informal alternative, focusing on the pleasantness of the idea.

i approve of the concept of

Suggests a more formal agreement or endorsement of the idea.

FAQs

How can I use "i fancy the idea of" in a sentence?

You can use "i fancy the idea of" to express a liking for a plan, suggestion, or possibility. For example, "I fancy the idea of taking a vacation to Italy this summer".

What's a more formal alternative to "i fancy the idea of"?

In more formal contexts, you could use alternatives like "i am inclined towards", "i find the prospect appealing", or "i approve of the concept".

Is "i fancy the idea of" suitable for professional communication?

While grammatically correct, "i fancy the idea of" might sound slightly informal for very professional settings. Consider the context and audience; more formal alternatives may be preferable.

What does "fancy" mean in "i fancy the idea of"?

In this context, "fancy" means to like or find appealing. It's a British English usage that has gained broader acceptance.