notion of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'notion of something' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an idea, concept, or thought that someone has about a particular thing. For example: "The notion of a cashless society has become increasingly popular in recent years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

This notion of something more, something better: where does it come from?

The New Yorker

We talked and began to develop this notion of something based on DNA.

The Guardian - Arts

The notion of something that is truly proportional certainly has support in Christian theology.

The Guardian - Opinion

So they've got this confused notion of something that isn't representative of mathematics either in its content or its quality.

Princeton University

The first notion that I want to try to explicate for you is the Kantian notion of something being done from duty.

Yale University

She has a confused notion of something that she calls "capitalism," and which is somehow held uniquely responsible for the oppression of animals, including dogs.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

As a result, the longstanding theological and philosophical question, "Why is there something rather than nothing?", like many earlier such questions, is increasingly becoming a scientific question, because our notions of "something" and "nothing" have completely changed as a result of our new knowledge.

The Guardian

It added new meaning to the notion of "see something, say something," even as it raised some concern that innocent people could be mistakenly targeted.

The New York Times

In Ferguson, Missouri this week, the public has turned the notion of "see something, say something" back on the state, via a digital tool of enormous power: online pictures and video.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite being so young, Wong is an advocate of staying in school, "The notion of finishing something is something that entrepreneurs get a bad rap for, we're so schizophrenic.

TechCrunch

This suggests that Lewis would analyze the notion of believing something that is true with some notion like that of believing something truly.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "notion of something", ensure that the 'something' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "the notion of progress", specify "the notion of economic progress".

Common error

Avoid using "notion of something" in contexts where a more concrete term would be clearer. For instance, instead of "the notion of importance", consider "the importance" directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "notion of something" functions as a noun phrase that introduces or refers to a specific idea, concept, or belief. It's used to frame a discussion around a particular understanding, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples, which highlight various contexts from academic to media sources. The phrase sets the stage for exploring what that 'something' entails.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

20%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "notion of something" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that serves to introduce a concept, idea, or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and offers diverse examples. Its frequency is uncommon and it appears in a variety of contexts from news and media to academic and scientific discussions. When using this phrase, ensure that the "something" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. While versatile, opting for more direct terms such as "concept" or "idea" may enhance clarity in certain contexts. The phrase is most suitable for neutral contexts, as evidenced by its presence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concept of something

Replaces "notion" with "concept", emphasizing the theoretical or abstract understanding.

idea of something

Substitutes "notion" with "idea", focusing on a thought or suggestion.

understanding of something

Replaces "notion" with "understanding", highlighting comprehension or awareness.

perception of something

Emphasizes the way something is regarded or understood.

impression of something

Focuses on the subjective feeling or image one has about something.

sense of something

Highlights an intuitive awareness or feeling about something.

belief about something

Replaces "notion" with "belief", indicating a conviction or acceptance that something is true.

view of something

Indicates a particular way of considering or regarding something.

thought of something

Focuses on a single act of thinking or considering something.

opinion on something

Replaces "notion" with "opinion", suggesting a personal judgment or assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "notion of something" in a sentence?

You can use "notion of something" to refer to an idea, concept, or belief about a particular subject. For example, "The "notion of free will" is central to many philosophical debates."

What are some alternatives to "notion of something"?

Alternatives include "concept of something", "idea of something", or "understanding of something", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "notion of something" or a more direct term?

In many cases, a more direct term like "concept" or "idea" may be clearer and more concise. However, "notion of something" can be useful when emphasizing a vague or preliminary understanding.

When is it appropriate to use "notion of something" in academic writing?

"Notion of something" is appropriate in academic writing when discussing abstract ideas, theoretical frameworks, or preliminary understandings. Ensure the context clarifies the specific "something" you are referring to.