the very idea of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the very idea of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize an idea or concept before providing further details. For example, you could say, "The very idea of winning the lottery was enough to make her smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The very idea of it.

The Guardian

I hate the very idea of it.

Independent

And the very idea of "suicide moons".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Yet the very idea of a female hero remains complex.

University of California, Berkeley

The very idea of domestic servants is already anachronistic.

Independent

It mocks the very idea of foreign-policy visions.

The Economist

That "undermines the very idea of wholesale electricity markets".

The Economist

Many wealthy liberals oppose the very idea of Super PACs.

The New York Times

The very idea of an experiment is artificial.

The Economist

"The very idea of meritocracy failed," Mr. Metodiev said.

The New York Times

His paintings call into question the very idea of painting.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very idea of" to express strong disbelief, disagreement, or rejection of a concept. It adds emphasis and can convey a sense of incredulity or outrage.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "the very idea of" in formal writing. Over-reliance may make your writing sound overly dramatic or less objective. Consider more neutral alternatives like "the concept of" or "the notion of" in professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very idea of" functions as an intensifier followed by a noun phrase. It emphasizes the speaker's strong feeling, often disbelief or disapproval, toward a particular concept. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatical and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very idea of" is a versatile phrase used to express strong reactions, typically disapproval or disbelief, towards a concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. While primarily found in news and media, its appropriateness depends on the context, making it suitable for both neutral and slightly informal settings. Use it to add emphasis and express your perspective effectively. Alternatives like "the mere thought of" or "the very notion of" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the very notion of

Synonymous, but slightly more formal and emphasizes the conceptual nature of the idea.

the very suggestion of

Implies that even mentioning the idea is offensive or inappropriate.

the mere thought of

Focuses on the act of thinking about something rather than the concept itself. It's slightly less confrontational.

the thought alone of

Highlights the emotional response to an idea, often implying anxiety or aversion.

the absurdity of

Highlights the nonsensical or illogical nature of an idea.

to even consider

Emphasizes the act of considering something, suggesting it's inappropriate or undesirable.

the preposterousness of

Similar to 'absurdity', but more exaggerated and comical.

the sheer audacity of

Emphasizes the boldness or impudence of an idea, often expressing outrage.

the concept of

More neutral and less emphatic, simply referring to a concept without the added incredulity.

the impossibility of

Focuses on the unlikelihood or impracticality of an idea.

FAQs

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

Use "the very idea of" to express strong disbelief or rejection of a concept. For example, "The very idea of going back to that place fills me with dread."

What's a less emphatic alternative to "the very idea of"?

Alternatives include "the concept of", "the notion of", or simply stating the idea directly without the added emphasis.

Is "the very idea of" always negative?

While often used to express negative sentiment, "the very idea of" can also express strong positive anticipation or excitement, though this is less common. For instance, "The very idea of a vacation excites me."

What is the difference between "the very idea of" and "the very notion of"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable, but "the very notion of" often suggests a more abstract or philosophical concept, while "the very idea of" can refer to something more concrete.