underlying notion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'underlying notion of' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a basic idea or concept that is not easily apparent, but that lies beneath something else. For example, "The underlying notion of his book is that the power of positive thinking can lead to success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Analysis of the benefits and costs of school reform summarized here indicates investments that improvements in quality of schools offers exceptional rewards to society.The underlying notion of human capital is that individuals make investment decisions in themselves through schooling and other routes.

Stanford University

To explain their models of used-car and job-seeking markets, they rely on an underlying notion of symmetry.

University of California, Berkeley

And there's something condescending about the underlying notion of a young filmmaker's having the epiphany that the old people around her lived meaningful lives.

The New York Times

The illusion of control is a well-documented psychological and sociological phenomenon, while the underlying notion of free will is something philosophers such as Descarte, Kant and Nietzsche have tussled with to extraordinary length.

The Guardian - Tech

His endorsement of the study of rhetoric and his underlying notion of language as an informing principle of the individual and society would become crucial subjects of humanistic discussion and debate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I think there's a secondary challenge that has more to do with this moment in the life of the country, when our politics are so polarized, when our media diets are so fragmented, when even the underlying notion of truth is somehow in question.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

(a) Highly technical notions of the urban future: These visions are based on underlying notions of the future city as engineering or planning problem: future directions have to be conceptualised and shaped by technical knowledge and interventions.

Nature

Following this line of criticism, underlying notions of race guiding the elaboration of immune theory have been suggested, where immunity was the culturally transformed activity of the atavistic animal (Rossiianov 2008).

SEP

It acts as an epitome for a composite of underlying notions - like the importance of oil, the importance of countering Russia, the importance of promoting secular democracy, and so on.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The validity of the underlying notions thus measures the utility of the phrase "area of strategic importance". I leave an analysis to the reader to decide whether these particular underlying notions are valid.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

More generally, what epistemological assumptions underlie (or should underlie) the notion of critical thinking?

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underlying notion of" to introduce foundational concepts or assumptions that might not be immediately obvious. This adds depth to your analysis and shows critical thinking.

Common error

Avoid using "underlying notion of" when a simpler term like "idea" or "concept" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying notion of" functions as a prepositional phrase often introducing a noun, serving to specify a fundamental principle or concept upon which a theory, argument, or system is built. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable grammatical standing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "underlying notion of" serves as a crucial tool for establishing conceptual foundations in both academic and general discourse. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable. Its prevalence spans across fields like science, news media, and academia, emphasizing its versatility in analytical contexts. To enhance clarity and precision in your writing, employ "underlying notion of" judiciously, reserving it for situations where you aim to introduce a foundational concept or illuminate an implicit assumption. By understanding its appropriate usage, you can effectively communicate the deeper, often unseen, aspects of any topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

basic concept of

Replaces "notion" with "concept", emphasizing the fundamental idea.

fundamental principle of

Highlights the core principle rather than a general idea.

core belief of

Focuses on a deeply held belief that informs a perspective.

implicit assumption of

Emphasizes an unspoken assumption that influences reasoning.

root idea of

Indicates the foundational idea from which something originates.

central tenet of

Highlights a key doctrine or belief that is central to a system of thought.

foundational understanding of

Emphasizes the level of understanding that is at the base of more complex thought.

governing philosophy of

Refers to the set of beliefs that guide actions and decisions.

premise behind

Highlights the starting point or assumption on which an argument is based.

rationale for

Focuses on the logical basis or justification for something.

FAQs

How can I use "underlying notion of" in a sentence?

You can use "underlying notion of" to introduce a fundamental concept that informs a larger idea. For example, "The "underlying notion of" the theory is that all matter is composed of atoms."

What are some alternatives to "underlying notion of"?

Alternatives include "basic concept of", "fundamental principle of", or "implicit assumption of depending on the specific context".

Is it correct to say "the notion that underlies" instead of "underlying notion of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""underlying notion of"" is more concise and frequently used. "The notion that underlies" might be preferable when you want to emphasize the 'notion' itself.

What is the difference between "assumption" and "underlying notion of"?

An assumption is a belief taken for granted, while the ""underlying notion of"" refers to a more foundational or conceptual understanding that informs a set of assumptions or ideas. In short the ""underlying notion of"" contains the assumption.