the basic notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the basic notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a fundamental idea or concept that serves as the foundation for further discussion or analysis. Example: "The basic notion of democracy is that power ultimately resides with the people."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's the basic notion of the reconstruction.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And this is the basic notion of filtering.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And, as a reminder, let me review the basic notion.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Is the basic notion of Nicolas Anelka being "unhappy" robust in itself?

The Guardian - Sport

Urban planning and development management in developing countries were restructured following the basic notion of decentralization.

International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment

The basic notion of informal organization, whether used explicitly or not, continues to play a part in organizational research.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

"It's important for all of us to embrace the basic notion that we should try to make voting easier, not harder".

The New York Times

The basic notion in this book is that as ever more of us work in complex white-collar environments, success at work depends ever more on office politics.

The Guardian - Books

I first toyed with the basic notion while I was working on my story collection "A Night at the Movies," exploring B-movies and comic books for ideas.

The New Yorker

But its theme is internationalist, a consideration of ways in which the basic notion of a political enemy has changed since the cold war.

The New York Times

The agent is programmed to work out what is meaningful through "reinforcement learning", the basic notion that scoring points is good and losing them is bad.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the basic notion", ensure that the concept you're referring to is indeed a fundamental one, and that understanding it is crucial for grasping the subsequent details or arguments. Avoid using it for trivial or secondary ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "the basic notion" when a simpler phrase like "the idea" or "the concept" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious, especially in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the basic notion" functions as a noun phrase that introduces or refers to a fundamental concept or idea. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. The phrase serves to highlight a key element necessary for understanding a broader subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the basic notion" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase employed to introduce fundamental concepts across a wide array of contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for formal, neutral, and professional communication, with a strong presence in news, academic, and scientific domains. Alternatives such as "the fundamental concept" or "the core idea" can be used to add variety while maintaining clarity. When using "the basic notion", it's crucial to ensure the concept is indeed foundational to the discussion and avoid overuse in simpler contexts. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "the basic notion" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the fundamental concept

Replaces "notion" with "concept" and "basic" with "fundamental", emphasizing the foundational nature of the idea.

the core idea

Substitutes "basic notion" with "core idea", highlighting the central and essential aspect of the concept.

the essential idea

Replaces "basic" with "essential", emphasizing the indispensable nature of the idea.

the central concept

Similar to "core idea", it emphasizes the main and most important concept.

the key principle

Replaces "basic notion" with "key principle", focusing on the guiding rule or tenet.

the underlying concept

Uses "underlying concept" instead of "basic notion", stressing the foundation upon which something is built.

the elementary concept

Replaces "basic" with "elementary", suggesting a simple and fundamental understanding.

the foundational concept

Highlights the concept's role as a base or foundation for further development or understanding.

the main idea

Simplifies "the basic notion" to "the main idea", focusing on the primary concept being discussed.

the rudimentary idea

Uses "rudimentary" instead of "basic", indicating a foundational or initial understanding of the concept.

FAQs

How can I use "the basic notion" in a sentence?

"The basic notion" is used to introduce a fundamental concept. For example: "The basic notion of democracy is that power resides with the people."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "the basic notion"?

Alternatives include "the fundamental concept", "the core idea", or "the key principle", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is there a difference between "the basic notion" and "the main idea"?

While similar, "the basic notion" often refers to a foundational concept, whereas "the main idea" can refer to the central point of a specific argument or text.

When is it appropriate to use "the basic notion" in writing?

Use "the basic notion" when you want to emphasize the fundamental nature of a concept that underlies a larger topic or argument. It's suitable for academic, professional, and neutral contexts.