unfamiliar concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfamiliar concept" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an idea or notion that is not known or recognized by someone. Example: "The theory presented in the lecture was an unfamiliar concept to most of the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

General discussions

Academic writing

News reports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Compromise, however, is an unfamiliar concept to the key powerbrokers in Lesotho's fractured polity.

The Guardian

Vintage shopping, it became clear, was an unfamiliar concept for the Dubai women.

The New Yorker

Confession is an unfamiliar concept to her, but she ends up revealing her bulimia and a strong, generous soul.

The New York Times

These groups regard Western affiliations, as well as the often unfamiliar concept of international justice, with deep suspicion.

The New Yorker

The dancers paused for a second as the unfamiliar concept sank in, but had reason to trust her.

The New York Times - Arts

Growing up in Southern California in the late 1990s, college was an unfamiliar concept to Marc Stad AB '01.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

As Westerners struggled to understand new peoples unfamiliar to them, how did they make sense of equally unfamiliar concepts and practices of healing?

Harvard University

They stumbled over unfamiliar names (like Eteocles and Polynices, Antigone's brothers), unfamiliar words (like carrion birds that eat dead flesh) and unfamiliar concepts (like stoning someone to death).

The New York Times

Gerry soon has them reading "The Jew of Malta" and grappling with such unfamiliar concepts as character arcs and their own mortality; he dreams of transforming them into a cultured company that will make "a Merchant Ivory porn movie".

The New Yorker

Although Macquarrie and Robinson, in their 1962 Blackwell English edition, produced one of the classics of modern philosophical translation, reading Being and Time can sometimes feel like wading through a conceptual mud of baroque and unfamiliar concepts.

The Guardian - Opinion

The research thus far suggests that prefinals will be much more useful in humanities courses and social-science disciplines in which unfamiliar concepts are at least embedded in language we can parse.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing a complex topic, use "unfamiliar concept" to acknowledge potential knowledge gaps in your audience. This sets the stage for clear and accessible explanations.

Common error

Avoid using "unfamiliar concept" sarcastically or dismissively. Instead, ensure you are providing sufficient context and explanation for readers to grasp the concept effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfamiliar concept" functions primarily as a noun phrase that identifies an idea or notion that is not well-known or understood by a particular individual or group. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

27%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unfamiliar concept" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce ideas that may not be widely known. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly correct and suitable for use in various contexts. It serves to acknowledge potential knowledge gaps and prepare an audience for further explanation. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for academic, news-related, and general discussions. When using this phrase, providing sufficient context and clarification is crucial to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

novel idea

Emphasizes the newness or originality of the idea.

unknown notion

Highlights the lack of awareness or familiarity with the notion.

foreign idea

Suggests the idea originates from a different context or culture.

strange concept

Indicates the concept is unusual or peculiar.

obscure idea

Implies the idea is not easily understood or is hidden from view.

unconventional concept

Focuses on the idea being different from what is typically accepted.

unheard-of idea

Suggests the idea is extremely rare or unprecedented.

untested theory

Highlights the lack of validation or experimentation regarding the theory.

radical thought

Emphasizes the innovative and potentially disruptive nature of the thought.

esoteric notion

Indicates the notion is understood by a small, specialized group.

FAQs

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

You can use "unfamiliar concept" to introduce a topic that might not be widely known. For example, "Quantum entanglement is an "unfamiliar concept" to many people outside of physics".

What are some alternatives to "unfamiliar concept"?

You can use alternatives like "novel idea", "unknown notion", or "foreign idea" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "unfamiliar concept"?

It's appropriate when you're introducing something that your audience might not have prior knowledge of. This phrase helps to prepare them for new information.

What's the difference between "unfamiliar concept" and "complex idea"?

"Unfamiliar concept" suggests a lack of prior knowledge, while "complex idea" implies difficulty in understanding, regardless of prior exposure.