obscure concepts

USAGE SUMMARY

"obscure concepts" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to understand or is not widely known. For example, "The professor's lecture focused on obscure concepts in ancient history that few students were familiar with."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Grass-fed, sustainable and locally grown, obscure concepts to most people 15 years ago or so when the buffalo meat market first emerged, became buzzwords of the foodie culture.

The New York Times

Further, "neither fully distinct nor fully obscure concepts are compatible with the feeling of beauty," for what is required is that an object offers enough "extensive clarity," that is, richness and variety, to stimulate us, but enough unity so that we can easily take it in as a whole (On Sentiments, Third Letter, Philosophical Writings, pp. 14 15).

SEP

Most of the data were validated on input to minimise typographical errors and ensure consistency across the subsets of data; the exception being one of the MeSH descriptor fields that enabled more obscure concepts to be included.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Why raise such a fuss over a somewhat obscure concept?

The New York Times

It refers to an obscure concept in Louisiana law under which a person has the right to use and profit from property that belongs to someone else.

The New York Times

Often she recognizes voices imperfectly, offering up weird deep cuts from her encyclopedias, selecting an obscure concept that resembles your question only in sound.

The New Yorker

THE rise of the web transformed hypertext which allows readers to click on a word in one document and be transported to another from an obscure concept in computer science to a familiar, everyday technology.

The Economist

Having criticized President George W. Bush for years about showering the wealthiest Americans with tax breaks, Mr. Obama and Democratic leaders are using a seemingly obscure concept — the "refundable tax credit" — to put money directly into the hands of people at the middle and bottom rungs of the income ladder.

The New York Times

It's an obscure concept, I know.

Huffington Post

Take "chain migration," an obscure concept previously used mainly by sociologists and historians to describe nineteenth and twentieth century global migration patterns.

HuffPost

And in an era of one-hit YouTube wonders, Ween are still the same four-track heroes they always where, committed to crafting obscure concept albums and mind-blowing live shows.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use concrete examples to illustrate "obscure concepts" and make them more relatable to your audience.

Common error

A common mistake is assuming your audience is familiar with the "obscure concepts" you are discussing. Always define key terms and provide background information to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obscure concepts" typically functions as a noun phrase, where 'obscure' modifies the noun 'concepts'. It describes the nature or quality of the concepts being referred to.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33.3%

Science

33.3%

Academia

33.3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obscure concepts" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe ideas or notions that are not widely known or easily understood. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for use in written English. While not a frequently occurring phrase, it finds relevance in academic, scientific, and news-related contexts. When using "obscure concepts", it's important to provide context and definitions to aid comprehension. Alternative phrases like "esoteric ideas" or "little-known notions" can be used to convey similar meanings. Be mindful of the potential for misunderstanding and adjust your language accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Uncommon concepts

Stresses the infrequency with which these concepts are encountered.

Esoteric ideas

Focuses on the specialized and complex nature of the ideas.

Abstruse ideas

Focuses on the difficulty in comprehending the ideas due to their abstractness.

Little-known notions

Highlights the lack of familiarity or awareness surrounding the notions.

Recondite theories

Emphasizes the depth and difficulty in understanding the theories.

Impenetrable concepts

Highlights that these concepts are very hard to understand.

Difficult concepts

This is more broad and less specific.

Complex ideas

This is more broad and less specific.

Vague notions

Highlights the lack of clarity and precision in the notions.

Hidden ideas

Suggests that the ideas are deliberately concealed or not easily accessible.

FAQs

How can I use "obscure concepts" in a sentence?

You can use "obscure concepts" to describe ideas that are difficult to understand or not widely known. For example, "The lecture explored several "obscure concepts" in quantum physics".

What is a good alternative to "obscure concepts"?

Alternatives include "esoteric ideas", "little-known notions", or "recondite theories", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "obscure concepts"?

It's appropriate when discussing topics that are not widely understood or require specialized knowledge. Be mindful of your audience and provide sufficient explanation or context.

What are some examples of "obscure concepts"?

Examples might include concepts from niche academic fields, highly technical jargon, or historical ideas that are no longer widely discussed.