rough concept

USAGE SUMMARY

"rough concept" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe ideas or concepts that are not concrete or fully formed. For example, "This is just a rough concept, but I think it has potential."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

David and Seinfeld pitched the rough concept to NBC.

The New Yorker

… David and Seinfeld pitched the rough concept to NBC.

The New Yorker

Mr. Guttenberg last week called Magna's proposal "interesting," but "a rough concept".

The New York Times

Nissan, formerly Datsun, vows that the reborn Z car, seen only in rough concept, will maintain the shape that the original Datsun 240Z introduced in 1969.

The New York Times

That is what happened earlier this month at the City base of the digital bank Monzo, where teams of fledgling founders took start-up ideas from rough concept to full business plan.

The Times

Piet Dircke of ARCADIS, a Dutch corporation that recently built some of New Orleans' post-Katrina dikes, also provided Bowman with a rough concept of a storm surge barrier across the Verrazano Narrows, one that would allow for large and small ship traffic and for natural tidal flow when no storms are present.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

People view recipes as starting points -- rough concepts.

The Washington Post

This paper proposes a novel method of combining Rough concepts with Neural Computation.

Neurocomputing

"They had some rough concepts on what they wanted stylistically with the colors, so I sent them some references of various different lighting styles and we just shot it.

The Guardian

But with Quill, they could simply draw rough concepts of what they want, when and where.

TechCrunch

Mozilla, which is now working in a very different competitive landscape compared to a few years ago, is relaunching it to test what the organization calls "rough concepts".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a "rough concept", clearly state that it is preliminary and subject to change. This manages expectations and encourages constructive feedback.

Common error

Avoid treating a "rough concept" as a fully developed idea. Ensure it is presented as a starting point, open to modification, to prevent misunderstandings and premature criticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough concept" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "rough" modifies the noun "concept". It acts as a descriptor indicating the preliminary or unfinished state of an idea.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rough concept" is a commonly used phrase that describes a preliminary or underdeveloped idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly indicate that the concept is subject to change and open to further development. Alternatives like "preliminary idea" or "initial outline" can be used to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively communicate the status of an idea using "rough concept".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary idea

Replaces "rough" with "preliminary", emphasizing the early stage of development.

initial outline

Focuses on the structural aspect of the concept, highlighting its undeveloped form.

undeveloped notion

Emphasizes the lack of detail and refinement in the idea.

basic framework

Highlights the foundational structure of the concept.

early draft

Suggests the concept is in its initial stages of writing or formulation.

crude approximation

Emphasizes the imprecision and lack of refinement in the concept.

sketchy idea

Implies the concept is vague and lacks detail.

unpolished plan

Highlights the need for further refinement and development.

raw idea

Focuses on the unprocessed and unrefined nature of the concept.

tentative scheme

Suggests the concept is provisional and subject to change.

FAQs

How can I use "rough concept" in a sentence?

You can use "rough concept" to describe an idea that is not fully developed, such as: "The project is still in its early stages, so we only have a "rough concept" of the final product."

What are some alternatives to "rough concept"?

Alternatives include "preliminary idea", "initial outline", or "undeveloped notion". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to present a "rough concept" in a formal setting?

Yes, but it's crucial to frame it as such. Clearly state that it is a preliminary idea and invite feedback for further development. This ensures that your audience understands the concept's current state.

What should I avoid when discussing a "rough concept"?

Avoid presenting it as a complete or finalized plan. Overstating its development can lead to unrealistic expectations and potential criticism. Focus on its potential and areas for improvement.