nurturing the idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nurturing the idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the development or encouragement of a concept or thought over time. Example: "The team spent months nurturing the idea of a sustainable product line before presenting it to the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He has been nurturing the idea since a 1992 visit to Gorée Island in Senegal, where he saw the Door of No Return at the House of Slaves memorial.

The New York Times - Arts

Significantly, since 2003, the region's two leading powers, China and Japan, have been nurturing the idea along with South Korea in semi-official think tanks, with varying degrees of enthusiasm (China greatest, Japan least).

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Even before Stanford faculty (Mr Hennessy foremost among them) were nurturing the ideas of the future founders of Yahoo!, Google, and Instagram, entrepreneurs throughout Silicon Valley had close ties to the university.

The Economist

He added: "Our goal is to ensure that the BFI continues protecting and promoting the UK's thriving film culture and supporting and nurturing the ideas and talent that make up our world-class British film industry, of which we are all so rightly proud".

The Guardian - Film

Selma Fakherhas, a wedding photographer, quietly nurtures the idea of becoming a photojournalist.

The New York Times

As the host of "Masterpiece Theatre" for two decades, he carefully nurtured the idea that Britain continued to play Greece to America's Rome.

The Economist

Gioni credits Beatrice Trussardi — the president and C.E.O. of Trussardi Group, whose father, Nicola, nurtured the idea of an art-based foundation in 1996 — with its success.

The New York Times

But economic figures released in the last two days have nurtured the idea that the central bank's campaign of rate increases may be nearing its end.

The New York Times

"France, which nurtured the idea of the euro from the outset and, 20 years ago, won over German scepticism, is now having second thoughts.

The Guardian

And there was the philosopher who nurtured the idea of writing an impossible "universal history", elements of which are traceable in Sovereignty and, surely his most impressive work, The Accursed Share.

The Guardian - Books

The term "bogan", emerging in the mid-1980s, lacked a specific regional flavour, but it too provided a way to talk about class differences as a matter of cultural style rather than material deprivation – in a society that still nurtured the idea that anyone prepared to "have a go" would do nicely.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nurturing the idea", ensure that the context clearly indicates the actions being taken to support and develop the idea. For example, specify the resources, discussions, or experiments involved in the nurturing process.

Common error

Avoid using "nurturing the idea" without providing specific details about how the idea is being developed. Simply stating that you are nurturing an idea lacks impact unless you elaborate on the concrete steps being taken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nurturing the idea" functions as a verb phrase acting as a gerund, often used as part of a longer verb phrase to describe an ongoing process. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nurturing the idea" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the process of developing and supporting a concept. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while not exceedingly common, the phrase appears in diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business publications. To maximize clarity, always provide specifics on concrete steps taken to develop your idea rather than using the phrase in isolation. Consider alternatives like "fostering the concept" or "cultivating the notion" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fostering the concept

Focuses on promoting growth and development of a concept.

cultivating the notion

Implies careful development and refinement of a notion.

developing the thought

Highlights the process of expanding and elaborating on a thought.

promoting the vision

Emphasizes advocacy and support for a particular vision.

advancing the proposition

Suggests moving a proposition forward through active support.

encouraging the belief

Focuses on instilling and reinforcing a belief.

supporting the principle

Highlights backing and defending a principle.

championing the cause

Implies vigorous advocacy and defense of a cause.

grooming the theory

Suggests careful preparation and refinement of a theory.

bolstering the hypothesis

Emphasizes strengthening and reinforcing a hypothesis.

FAQs

How can I use "nurturing the idea" in a sentence?

You can use "nurturing the idea" to describe the process of carefully developing and supporting a concept. For example: "The team is dedicating resources to nurturing the idea of a sustainable energy solution."

What are some alternatives to "nurturing the idea"?

Alternatives include "fostering the concept", "cultivating the notion", or "developing the thought". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "nurturing the idea" formal or informal?

"Nurturing the idea" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and tone. It is generally considered a neutral and appropriate phrase.

What does it mean to "nurture the idea"?

To "nurture the idea" means to provide the necessary conditions and support for a concept to grow and develop. This can involve providing resources, offering encouragement, and refining the concept over time.