undefined concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undefined concept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ideas or terms that lack a clear or established definition. Example: "In philosophy, the term 'freedom' can often be seen as an undefined concept, leading to various interpretations and debates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I think that when we talk about — or anybody talks about — hitting bottom, what we really have to understand is that the bottom is a kind of an undefined concept here," he said on ABC's "This Week".

The New York Times

Unfortunately, he does not define the said-of relation; and his definition of the present-in relation is either circular or rests on an undefined concept of being in.

SEP

Concerns included an undefined concept of rights, operational difficulties in implementation, contested rights, possible misuse of rights rhetoric and movement away from a needs-based approach.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The choice of undefined concepts and axioms is free, apart from the constraint of consistency.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The German mathematician Moritz Pasch (1843 1930), in his Vorlesungen über neuere Geometrie (1882; "Lectures on the New Geometry"), identified what was wanting: undefined concepts, axioms about those concepts, and more rigorous logic based on those axioms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He makes use of just a few undefined concepts.

SEP

Acceptability is defined relative to audiences the one's for whom arguments are intended but the other basic concepts, relevance and sufficiency, although illustrated by examples, remain as intuitive, undefined concepts (see Tindale, 2007).

SEP

Prior to axiomatisations of the theory at the end of the 19th century, point, line, and plane were undefined concepts, with an intuitive interpretation that allowed for a ready passage between projective and Euclidean geometry.

SEP

The aim in the first phase is to work backwards from these beliefs, taken as a kind of "data", to a certain minimal stock of undefined concepts and general principles which might be thought to underlie the original body of knowledge.

SEP

All unary undefined concepts are considered entity properties while binary concepts are considered relationship properties.

BMC Genomics

Historically, the main reasons given by clinicians for carrying out caesareans, other than having previously had a caesarean, are the relatively undefined concepts of 'fetal distress', 'failure to progress' during labour and breech presentations.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "undefined concept", ensure the context clarifies why the concept lacks definition and what implications this has for the discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "undefined concept" without providing context or acknowledging that the lack of definition may lead to different interpretations. Always clarify what aspects of the concept are unclear and why this matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undefined concept" functions as a noun phrase, where 'undefined' acts as an adjective modifying 'concept'. It identifies a concept that lacks a clear or precise definition. As Ludwig shows, it's used to point out the ambiguity or lack of clarity in a particular idea.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undefined concept" is a grammatically correct and usable term, though its usage is relatively rare. As indicated by Ludwig, it's most commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts. The phrase serves to highlight a lack of clarity or precision in a specific idea, prompting further analysis or discussion. When using "undefined concept", it's crucial to provide context about why the concept is undefined and what implications this has. Alternatives like "vague notion" or "ambiguous concept" may also be suitable depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Overall, it's important to clarify the meaning and potential interpretations when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vague notion

Focuses on the lack of clarity and precision of an idea.

ill-defined idea

Emphasizes the incomplete or unclear definition of the idea.

ambiguous concept

Highlights the potential for multiple interpretations.

imprecise notion

Stresses the lack of exactness or accuracy.

nebulous idea

Suggests the idea is hazy and indistinct.

unclear concept

Simple and direct, focusing on the lack of clarity.

poorly defined concept

Highlights the inadequacy of the definition.

fuzzy concept

Indicates a lack of sharp boundaries or clear understanding.

abstract notion

Emphasizes the theoretical and non-concrete nature of the idea, making it difficult to grasp.

open-ended concept

Focuses on the lack of specific constraints or limitations.

FAQs

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

You can use "undefined concept" to describe ideas or terms that lack a clear or established definition. For example, "The term 'sustainability' is often used as an undefined concept, leading to various interpretations and applications."

What are some alternatives to "undefined concept"?

Alternatives include "vague notion", "ill-defined idea", or "ambiguous concept". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "undefined concept" in formal writing?

Yes, "undefined concept" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly when analyzing abstract ideas or discussing the limitations of certain definitions. However, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify the lack of definition.

What does it mean when a concept is described as "undefined"?

When a concept is described as "undefined", it means that it lacks a clear, precise, or universally accepted definition. This can lead to misunderstandings and varying interpretations, as highlighted by Ludwig.