concept

noun

ADJECTIVE

▪ basic, simple

▪

The concept of my book is very simple.

▪ broad, general, overall

▪ broader, wider (esp. BrE)

▪

‘Mental handicap’ should be replaced with the broader concept of ‘learning difficulties’.

▪ entire, whole

▪

The whole concept of responsibility was alien to him.

▪ central, core, essential, fundamental, important, key

▪ clear, precise

▪ ambiguous, elusive, nebulous, vague

▪

Culture is a fairly nebulous concept.

▪

The concept of ‘adequate medical care’ is too vague.

▪ complex, difficult, sophisticated

▪ abstract, intellectual, theoretical

▪

The book provides concrete interpretations of some rather abstract concepts.

▪ alien, bizarre, strange

▪ interesting

▪ underlying

▪ useful

▪ innovative, modern, new, novel, original, revolutionary

▪ old-fashioned, traditional

▪ business, design, economic, historical, legal, mathematical, political, psychological, religious, scientific

VERB + CONCEPT

▪ have

▪

Teachers should have a clear concept of what society is.

▪ grasp, understand

▪

She finds it difficult to grasp abstract concepts.

▪ define, formulate, frame

▪

the need to create new words to frame new concepts

▪ advance, introduce, invent, popularize

▪ apply

▪

Students must be able to apply classroom concepts to practical situations.

▪ develop, refine

▪ explain, illustrate

▪ discuss, explore

▪ embrace

▪

Not all companies have embraced the concept of diversity in the workplace.

▪ reinforce

PREPOSITION

▪ concept of

▪

He formulated the concept of imaginary time.