social construct

USAGE SUMMARY

"social construct" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a concept or belief that is constructed based on societal factors, and is not necessarily based in objective reality. For example, you could say: "The idea of gender as a strict binary is a social construct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Race remains a social construct.

The New York Times

Interest rates are a social construct.

The Guardian - Opinion

The setting has made them white — another social construct.

The New Yorker

A language is also a social construct, an "imagined community".

The Economist

Race is instead a social construct addressed by cultural anthropology.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dolezal can argue all she likes that race is a social construct, but it is a social construct with very real consequences.

The Guardian - Opinion

The second, opposing, idea was that race is an imaginary social construct.

The New York Times - Magazine

The difference between the two is just a social construct, the consensus opinion of our society.

The Guardian - Books

Hoffman, who was far to the left of Thiel, countered that property was a social construct.

The New Yorker

Race is a social construct; defined not by biology but by society.

The Guardian

"Justice", for example is defined as "a nonexistent social construct in Mexico.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "social construct" to analyze concepts that appear natural or inevitable but are actually products of cultural and historical forces.

Common error

Avoid using "social construct" as a dismissive term without providing a well-reasoned argument. Simply labeling something as a "social construct" does not negate its impact or significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "social construct" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object. Ludwig examples show it defining abstract concepts such as race, gender, and justice. As Ludwig AI states, it denotes concepts built on societal agreement rather than objective reality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "social construct" is a common and grammatically sound term used to describe concepts whose meaning is derived from societal agreement rather than objective reality. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase serves to analyze and deconstruct established social norms and power structures. While widely used in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and academic contexts, it's important to use the phrase with precision, defining the concept in question and avoiding overgeneralization. Related phrases include "constructed reality" and "socially constructed". By understanding its function and purpose, you can use "social construct" effectively in your own writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

socially constructed

Adjectival form, emphasizing the process of construction.

constructed reality

Highlights the idea that what we perceive as real is shaped by social processes.

human construct

Simply emphasizes the human origin of the concept.

social invention

Focuses on the origin of a concept as something created by humans.

artificial construct

Stresses the non-natural or fabricated nature of the concept.

societal norm

Emphasizes a standard or pattern of behavior expected within a society.

collective understanding

Focuses on the shared agreement and interpretation of a concept within a group.

cultural convention

Highlights the established practices and traditions within a particular culture.

agreed-upon concept

Highlights the element of consensus in the formation of the concept.

ideological construct

Indicates that the concept is rooted in a specific ideology or belief system.

FAQs

What does the phrase "social construct" mean?

A "social construct" is a concept or idea that exists because society as a whole agrees that it exists. Its meaning is shaped by cultural and historical context rather than being based on objective reality.

How can I use "social construct" in a sentence?

You might say, "Race is a "social construct", not a biological one," to argue that racial categories are defined by society, not by genetics.

What's the difference between "social construct" and "natural law"?

"Social constructs" are human-created ideas, while "natural laws" are believed to be inherent principles of the universe, independent of human agreement. For example, gravity is considered a natural law, while money is a "social construct".

Are all things that are "social constructs" unimportant?

No. Just because something is a "social construct" doesn't mean it lacks importance or impact. Many essential aspects of human life, such as laws, governments, and economic systems, are "social constructs".