underlying concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlying concept" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a fundamental or basic idea or principle that serves as the foundation or basis for something else. You can use the phrase "underlying concept" in various contexts, such as in academic writing, business documents, or everyday conversations. Here are some examples: - The underlying concept of democracy is the belief in equal rights and opportunities for all citizens. - The marketing team's strategy was based on the underlying concept that emotional appeal is more effective than logic in advertising. - In order to fully understand this theory, one must first grasp the underlying concepts of psychology and neuroscience. - The artist's latest collection explores the underlying concept of human emotions through abstract shapes and colors. - The company's success can be attributed to its strong focus on the underlying concept of customer satisfaction.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Either way, the underlying concept is simple.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's the underlying concept that seems to evoke the disgust.

The Guardian - Film

Fund managers say the underlying concept remains sound.

The New York Times

The piece is immediately striking, even glamorous, though its underlying concept seems vague.

The Guardian - Music

The underlying concept – of a dark psychological condition given life form – is a potent one.

The Guardian - Books

They suggest that the underlying concept, that Alzheimer's is caused by amyloid plaque, may be wrong.

The Guardian

The underlying concept is that pictures worth saving are everywhere, not just at events like graduations.

The New York Times

This is, in fact, the underlying concept behind the scale of permanence.

Cornell University

The company's underlying concept of a borderless pan-Latin community did not play well with the Portuguese-speaking Brazilians.

The New York Times

"They are like a portrait of photography in slumber," Pound explains, casting light on his underlying concept.

The Guardian - Arts

Despite its novelty on the market, the underlying concept of the H1 is not new.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underlying concept" to introduce foundational principles before diving into specifics. This aids comprehension, especially for those unfamiliar with the subject.

Common error

Avoid focusing solely on surface-level details without explaining the "underlying concept". Readers may grasp the details but miss the broader significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying concept" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a foundational principle or idea that forms the basis of a broader understanding. Ludwig provides various examples demonstrating its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

42%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "underlying concept" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that refers to a fundamental principle or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used across various domains such as science, news media, and academia to introduce and explain core principles. The phrase exhibits a formal register, emphasizing clarity and precision. To enhance your writing, focus on articulating the "underlying concept" early on to provide readers with a solid foundation. When writing, be mindful of potential confusion between surface-level details and the core idea itself. Semantically related alternatives include "basic principle", "core idea", and "foundational idea", which can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental principle

Stresses the basic and essential nature.

key concept

Highlights the importance and relevance of the concept.

core idea

Emphasizes the central and most important aspect.

basic principle

Focuses on the fundamental nature of the idea.

foundational idea

Highlights the idea as a basis for further development.

central theme

Emphasizes the unifying idea that connects different elements.

governing principle

Suggests the concept guides or controls something.

root idea

Highlights the origin or source of the concept.

rationale

Focuses on the logical reasons behind the idea.

basis

A simpler term denoting the foundation or support.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "underlying concept" in a sentence?

Use "underlying concept" to introduce a fundamental principle or idea that explains a broader phenomenon. For example, "The "underlying concept" of supply and demand explains market fluctuations."

What are some alternatives to using "underlying concept"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "basic principle", "core idea", or "foundational idea" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "underlying concept" and "overarching theme"?

Yes, the ""underlying concept"" is a fundamental idea or principle, while the "overarching theme" is a recurring idea or message that connects different parts of a work or discussion.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "underlying concept" in academic writing?

It's appropriate to use ""underlying concept"" when you need to introduce or explain the basic principles that support a theory, model, or argument in your academic work.