refute the notion that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refute the notion that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to challenge or disprove a specific idea or belief. Example: "The research aims to refute the notion that climate change is not influenced by human activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

A picture of inclusiveness was presented, to refute the notion that the force was homophobic.

The Guardian - Opinion

A visit should suffice to refute the notion that she is a graphic artist preoccupied with two-dimensional effects.

The New York Times - Arts

When reached in his Los Angeles office yesterday, West did not refute the notion that he would leave the Lakers during the off-season.

The New York Times - Sports

People can go back and check and he said, "We must refute the notion that these disagreements along party lines are between people of good will.

The New Yorker

Another extraordinary accomplishment of Abd al Raziq's work was to refute the notion that the Caliphate was based on the doctrine of Consensus or Ijma.

The Guardian - Opinion

His arguments are not immediately convincing: weakest of all is his effort to refute the notion that France was defeated partly because its leadership was bad.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

This study refutes the notion that left leaning armchair socialists sit more and move less.

British Medical Journal

She also refuted the notion that the law would "commercialize" stem-cell research.

The New York Times

"Dogtown has gone Uptown," he wrote, in an article that refuted the notion that the Dogtown era had ended.

The Guardian - Film

Shell refutes the notion that its Pittsburgh-area ethane cracker will adversely affect the health of nearby communities.

Yale University

Several studies, for instance, have pointedly refuted the notion that hoof action improves water infiltration of the soil.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refute the notion that", ensure you have strong evidence or a well-reasoned argument to support your refutation. Avoid using it casually without backing up your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "refute the notion that" when you only have a weak counterargument or limited evidence. Ensure your refutation is credible and well-supported; otherwise, consider using softer phrasing like "question the idea that" or "challenge the assumption that."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refute the notion that" serves as a verb phrase indicating the act of disproving or countering a specific idea or belief. According to Ludwig AI, it introduces arguments or evidence against something. Examples in the data show it used in various contexts, like refuting claims about scientific concepts or historical events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refute the notion that" is a versatile expression used to indicate the act of disproving or contradicting a specific idea or belief. As Ludwig AI states, it signifies presenting evidence or arguments against something. Found commonly in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources, its register ranges from neutral to formal. To effectively use the phrase, ensure that you have substantial evidence and reasoning to support your claims. Be cautious not to overstate your refutation with weak arguments. Alternatives include phrases like "deny the idea that" or "disprove the claim that", each carrying subtle differences in emphasis. The usage of "refute the notion that" highlights a direct and reasoned approach to invalidating a concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disprove the hypothesis that

Specifically aims to demonstrate that a hypothesis is not supported by evidence.

disprove the claim that

Emphasizes disproving a specific claim, making it more direct and assertive.

counter the argument that

Presents a counter-argument to oppose an existing one, showing a different perspective.

deny the idea that

Focuses on denying an idea, shifting from refuting a broader "notion".

contradict the belief that

Focuses on presenting contradictory evidence against a belief.

invalidate the argument that

Focuses on demonstrating that an argument is not valid or sound.

reject the assertion that

Highlights the act of rejecting an assertion, suggesting a formal disagreement.

challenge the assumption that

Questions and challenges an underlying assumption, prompting further examination.

discredit the theory that

Aims to undermine the credibility of a theory, suggesting it's unreliable.

debunk the myth that

Specifically aims to expose a myth as false, implying a widely held but incorrect belief.

FAQs

What does it mean to "refute the notion that"?

To "refute the notion that" means to disprove or successfully argue against a particular idea, belief, or concept. It suggests presenting evidence or reasoning that shows the idea is false or invalid.

How can I use "refute the notion that" in a sentence?

You can use "refute the notion that" to introduce evidence or arguments that challenge a specific idea. For example, "The study aims to "disprove the idea that" all-cotton tampons are safer than tampons containing rayon".

What are some alternatives to "refute the notion that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "deny the idea that", "disprove the claim that", or "reject the assertion that". The best choice depends on the specific context and the strength of your argument.

Is it better to "refute the notion that" or "challenge the notion that"?

"Refute the notion that" implies a successful disproval, while "challenge the notion that" suggests questioning or raising doubts without necessarily proving it wrong. Use "refute" when you have strong evidence and "challenge" when you want to question or investigate further.