lingering ideas

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lingering ideas" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe thoughts or concepts that remain in one's mind for an extended period, often evoking a sense of contemplation or nostalgia. Example: "After the meeting, I found myself with lingering ideas about how we could improve our project strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

One, the eastern countries must reject any lingering ideas about a "third way", such as a chimerical "market socialism" based on public ownership or worker self-management, and go straight for a western-style market economy.

The Economist

Although there may be some lingering ideas that men are better judges of what looks right on a woman's body, it is also true that the qualities that determine whether a garment looks right — fit, proportion and taste — hold less value today than marketing and branding.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Recent years have demolished the lingering idea that animated cinema is strictly for children, or that it trivialises its material.

Independent

It is as though modern screenwriters were minded to kill off any lingering idea that comedy bears a logical connection to elegance: good riddance to Ernst Lubitsch.

The New Yorker

And Peter Gill's The York Realist dealt beautifully with the collision between city and country – and the lingering idea that culture is the prerogative of the few.

The Guardian

Then he revamped a lingering idea: to portray a suburban American family and cloak the story in the details of an ancient genre — the gangster film.

The New Yorker

To Mr. McGuire, blending the past and the future to give music lovers what they want might provide the best hope for the music industry, helping it move beyond the lingering idea of music as a physical object to be sold.

The New York Times

The modern reader may admire John for his principles, for his insistence on doing "kaffir work" - manual labour such as laying concrete that white South Africans never do - and for his vegetarianism; but any lingering idea that John was a lifelong fighter for majority rule in South Africa gets short shrift from Sophie.

The Guardian - Books

Yet there's this lingering idea that drug use is a "fringe" activity, and this misconception remains a barrier for people who may need help.

Vice

Varejão's career, before "Polvo" and after, has been dedicated to the concept of mestizaje, and how art can help "cannibalize" -- rather than outright reject -- the lingering cultural ideas that took hold during colonialism (not so subtly motivated by the writings of poet Oswald de Andrade).

Huffington Post

Here (perhaps thanks to some lingering Marxist idea of a fair price?) it was just $40 a night, plus another $20 each day for decent buffet meals.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lingering ideas", consider the emotional connotation; it often implies a sense of nostalgia, regret, or unresolved issues.

Common error

Avoid using "lingering ideas" to describe actively pursued goals or projects. "Lingering" implies a passive persistence, not active engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lingering ideas" functions as a noun phrase, where "lingering" acts as a present participle adjective modifying the noun "ideas". This construction describes the quality of the ideas as being persistent or remaining.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lingering ideas" effectively conveys the persistence of certain concepts or thoughts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science, and identifies its grammatical function as a noun phrase with an adjective modifier. When writing, remember that "lingering ideas" suggests a passive persistence, distinct from actively pursued goals. Consider alternatives like "persistent thoughts" or "remaining notions" to fine-tune your message. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning of ideas that continue to hold influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lingering thoughts

Swaps 'ideas' for the semantically similar 'thoughts'.

persistent thoughts

Focuses on the continuous nature of the thoughts.

remaining notions

Emphasizes the survival of ideas that still exist from a previous state.

enduring concepts

Replaces 'lingering' with 'enduring', emphasizing long-lasting nature.

residual concepts

Highlights that the ideas are left over from something.

persisting beliefs

Shifts focus to beliefs that continue to be held.

remaining assumptions

Highlights assumptions that have not been discarded.

hanging ideas

Changes the image to ideas that have been left unattended.

stale concepts

It focuses on old or outdated ideas.

haunting thoughts

It focuses on thoughts that are repeatedly causing problems or unhappiness.

FAQs

How can I use "lingering ideas" in a sentence?

You can use "lingering ideas" to describe thoughts or concepts that remain in one's mind for an extended period. For example: "After the conference, I had "lingering ideas" about new project strategies."

What are some alternatives to "lingering ideas"?

Alternatives include "persistent thoughts", "remaining notions", or "residual concepts", depending on the specific context.

Is "lingering ideas" formal or informal?

The phrase "lingering ideas" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though its impact can vary. In formal settings, it may suggest unresolved strategic considerations. In informal settings, it is appropriate to describe continued thoughts about a particular topic.

What is the difference between "lingering ideas" and "flashbulb memory"?

"Lingering ideas" refers to concepts or thoughts that remain in one's mind over time, whereas "flashbulb memory" is a vivid, detailed memory of a specific event. While both involve persistence in memory, they differ in scope and context.