source of the idea is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "source of the idea is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the origin or inspiration behind a particular concept or thought. Example: "The source of the idea is rooted in ancient philosophy, which has influenced many modern thinkers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Deference to the source of the idea is part of the answer.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But it seems reasonable to assume that no journalist would even consider writing a story asserting that the prime minister was planning to sack eight named ministers without at least running the proposition past the prime minister's office, even if the original source of the idea was someone else.

The Guardian

The source of this idea is found in Acts 4 13: "When [the religious leaders] saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished".

Huffington Post

The source of this idea is simple enough: all commercial litigation in England and Wales (we don't have a "UK" legal system, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own, one each) works on this basis.

Forbes

A few companies, however, have figured out a competitive advantage through a relatively untapped source of talent: military veterans — and the idea is starting to catch on.

TechCrunch

There's been a lot of news popping up lately about algae as a source of biofuel and rightly so, the idea is surprisingly old and what better use for this slimy sludge for than fueling the clean energy revolution is there?

Huffington Post

The source of this idea was a natural reaction against the over-structured society in which most of us found ourselves, and the inevitable control this gave others over our lives, and the continual elitism of the Left and similar groups among those who were supposedly fighting this overstructuredness.

Johns Hopkins University

Instead, he wants documents to be directly embedded into one another—"transcluded," in his language so that the original source of an idea is always there.

MIT Technology Review

One of the more influential sources of these ideas was the 1920 book by Binding and Hoche, respected academics from medicine and law.

BMC Medical Ethics

An often overlooked source of ecological ideas is the work of the neo-Marxist Frankfurt School of critical theory founded by Max Horkheimer and Theodore Adorno (Horkheimer and Adorno 1969).

SEP

But the idea that the users themselves are the source of key ideas is still treated as a novelty.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "source of the idea is", ensure you clearly identify what the 'idea' refers to for context.

Common error

Avoid using "source of the idea is" without a clear antecedent for 'the idea'. Be specific to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "source of the idea is" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or a clause introducer. It identifies the origin or starting point of a particular concept or thought, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "source of the idea is" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to pinpoint the origin of a specific concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it fits comfortably in various contexts, including news, academia, and science. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to clearly define the 'idea' you're referencing. When diversifying your writing, alternatives like "origin of the idea is" or "inspiration for the idea is" can be effective. Remember, specifying the source adds credibility and context to your discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Origin of the idea is

Replaces 'source' with 'origin', focusing on the starting point of the idea.

Basis of the idea is

Substitutes 'source' with 'basis', highlighting the foundation or groundwork of the idea.

Inspiration for the idea is

Uses 'inspiration' instead of 'source', focusing on the motivating factor behind the idea.

Foundation of the idea is

Replaces 'source' with 'foundation', emphasizing the fundamental principles.

Root of the idea is

Changes 'source' to 'root', highlighting the origin or cause from which the idea stems.

Derivation of the idea is

Uses 'derivation' instead of 'source', emphasizing the process of obtaining or developing the idea.

The idea stems from

Rephrases to focus on where the idea originates, changing the sentence structure.

The idea originates in

Similar to 'stems from', this highlights the place or context of the idea's beginning.

The genesis of the idea is

Substitutes 'source' with 'genesis', referring to the beginning or origin of the idea.

The wellspring of the idea is

Replaces 'source' with 'wellspring', indicating an abundant source or origin.

FAQs

How can I use "source of the idea is" in a sentence?

Use "source of the idea is" to introduce where a concept originated. For instance, "The "source of the idea is" rooted in ancient philosophy".

What are some alternatives to "source of the idea is"?

You can use alternatives such as "origin of the idea is", "basis of the idea is", or "inspiration for the idea is".

Is it grammatically correct to say "source of the idea is"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct and widely used to specify where an idea originated from.

What's the difference between "source of the idea is" and "the idea stems from"?

"Source of the idea is" directly states the origin, while "the idea stems from" emphasizes the development or growth of the idea from its origin.