i second the notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I second the notion" is correct and is an acceptable expression in written English.
It is used when a person agrees with an idea or proposition that has been proposed by another person. For example, you might say, "I think that we should have a formal meeting to discuss the project.” Your colleague might then reply, "I second the notion, let's schedule a meeting for next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I second the notion of béarnaise sauce, for its "vinegary zing, its lick of tarragon".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Dr. Steven Jacobs, an internist and addiction specialist who has served as a medical consultant to Wonderland, told me, "Twenty-five yeago ago, when I first started, the notion was that if you stayed abstinent for two years, you would have a ninety per cent chance of staying clean and sober.

The New Yorker

The blogger, who writes as Sandmonkey, argued: I never bought for a second the notion that Shafik is Scaf's candidate, mainly because everyone would think that he is, so his success or failures would be counted as their successes and failures.

The New York Times

We may never know for sure, but personally, I don't buy for a second the notion that Christie's deputy chief of staff and his hand-picked choice for the Port Authority were operating independently of Christie.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fick: I first learned about the notion of the citizen-soldier while studying the classics in college--the idea that we as members of a free society bear an obligation to serve in its defense, at least for a little while.

Forbes

Significantly, CEOs from other countries appear to second the notion.

The Washington Post

Second, the notion of quality and durability.

Forbes

Therefore, the aim of this paper is twofold: (i) first, to clarify the notion of imprecision and uncertainty in the evaluation of potential solutions; and (ii) second, to propose two Confidence Indexes (CI) in order to take into account uncertainty in offer elaboration.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

SECOND SENIOR -- I think the notion of warfare in general has changed because when you look at World War I or II or even Korea and Vietnam, to the extent you had the "us-them" mentality, you knew this is who we're fighting.

The New York Times

And in my first two years, I think the notion was, 'Well, he's been juggling and managing a lot of stuff, but where's the story that tells us where he's going?' And I think that was a legitimate criticism". Obama's problem wasn't just a lack of communication.

HuffPost

First, the notion that work pays.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I second the notion" to formally express agreement with a proposal or idea in a meeting or discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "I second the notion" in casual conversations; opt for simpler phrases like "I agree" or "Sounds good".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I second the notion" functions as a declarative statement expressing agreement. It follows a subject-verb-object structure, with "I" as the subject, "second" as the verb, and "the notion" as the object. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is a valid way to express agreement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I second the notion" is a grammatically correct phrase used to formally express agreement with an idea or proposal. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a valid expression, though relatively rare in common usage. It's most appropriate in professional or formal settings like meetings or official discussions, as evidenced by its presence in news media and business contexts. While simpler alternatives like "I agree" are suitable for casual conversation, this phrase adds a level of formality and emphasis to one's support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm in agreement with that

A simple and direct way to show you agree.

I couldn't agree more

Expresses strong agreement.

I support that suggestion

Expresses agreement with a suggested course of action.

I'm of the same opinion

Highlights shared viewpoints.

I agree with that proposal

Indicates agreement with a more formal proposition.

That's my feeling exactly

Expresses complete alignment with a stated sentiment.

I concur with that idea

A more formal way of expressing agreement with an idea.

I endorse that view

Implies strong support and approval of a particular viewpoint.

I'm on board with that

Signifies enthusiasm about the suggestion.

I back that idea

Suggests support.

FAQs

What does "I second the notion" mean?

It means that you agree with a suggestion or proposal that someone else has made. It's a formal way of showing support.

When is it appropriate to use "I second the notion"?

This phrase is best used in formal settings such as meetings, debates, or official discussions where a clear expression of support is needed.

What are some alternatives to "I second the notion"?

You can use alternatives like "I agree", "I support that", or "I'm in agreement" depending on the context.

Is "I second the motion" the same as "I second the notion"?

While similar, "I second the motion" is specifically used in parliamentary procedure to formally support a motion so it can be discussed, whereas "I second the notion" is more general and can apply to any idea or proposal.