alien thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alien thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a thought or idea that feels foreign, strange, or unfamiliar to someone. Example: "As she listened to the philosopher's lecture, she found herself grappling with alien thoughts that challenged her long-held beliefs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Under the 1952 law, an alien thought likely to engage in terrorist, anarchist or subversive activities is considered "excludable". It permits the barring of visitors on the basis of advocacy as well as action.

The New York Times

Arthur Schlesinger, present at the meeting, noted how "the question hovered for a moment, then died away". It was "a hopelessly alien thought in a field of unexplored assumptions and entrenched convictions". The Washington rules kept the United States on a steady course toward disaster.

The Washington Post

Incrementalism is an alien thought.

Huffington Post

Inside they find stone cylinders, a monolithic statue of a humanoid head, and the decapitated corpse of a large alien, thought to be an Engineer; Shaw recovers its head.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Like a character from an old Star Trek episode, I need to concentrate to overcome the alien thoughts that are controlling my mind.

Forbes

Of course, she blamed his parents, who had somehow, long ago, accidentally or on purpose, raised him as a space alien, with space-alien values, space-alien thoughts, and the hollow, shifty character, concocted guilelessness, and sociopathic secrets of a space alien.

The New Yorker

Rather, Natorp claims to find in the first Critique itself the basis for his view that intuition is not a factor "alien to thought [denkfremd]," but that it merely signifies a different aspect of thinking, viz.

SEP

Whitmore then mentions that while he was being attacked, he saw the alien's thoughts; what its species were planning to do.

Wikipedia

The idea that the way to world peace is through unprovoked wars is alien to the thought and practice of Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman and John Kennedy, all of whom Gerson claims as inspirations for George W. Bush.

The New York Times - Books

I enjoyed Prometheus, Ridley Scott's pseudo-prequel to Alien, but the thought of Damon Lindelof filtering his fascination with grand but utterly impenetrable themes into the greatest space opera series of all time would be enough to have most of us hitting the jump-to-lightspeed button tout suite.

The Guardian - Film

It is true that Kepler's work led the way to Newton's mechanics, which cannot be described in terms of ancient geometry and number theory but relies on the calculus and which relies on a theory of physical forces that is alien to ancient thought.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alien thought", ensure the context clearly establishes whose perspective the thought is alien to. This adds clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "alien thought" to describe intrusive thoughts experienced in mental health conditions like OCD, unless you are explicitly drawing a metaphorical comparison. Intrusive thoughts are unwanted and distressing, but the term "alien thought" might imply an external origin, which isn't always the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alien thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It denotes a thought that is foreign, unfamiliar, or strange to the individual experiencing it. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for describing unfamiliar ideas.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "alien thought" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that signifies a thought or idea that feels foreign, strange, or unfamiliar. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and applicability in various contexts. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears in diverse domains, including news, academia, and science. Semantically related alternatives include "foreign thought" and "strange notion". When employing "alien thought", it's crucial to ensure that the perspective to whom the thought is alien is clear. Avoid using it loosely to describe intrusive thoughts. In summary, "alien thought" serves as a valuable tool for articulating concepts that challenge conventional understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foreign thought

Direct synonym, suggesting an idea originating from a different culture or perspective.

strange thought

Emphasizes the unusual or peculiar nature of the thought.

unfamiliar idea

Focuses on the lack of recognition or understanding of the concept.

extraneous thought

Implies a thought that is irrelevant or unrelated to the current context.

bizarre notion

Highlights the odd or eccentric quality of the thought.

peculiar concept

Indicates that the concept is unusual and possibly difficult to grasp.

novel idea

Stresses the new or original nature of the thought.

unconventional thinking

Describes a thought process that deviates from the norm.

radical concept

Indicates that the concept is groundbreaking and potentially disruptive.

outlandish idea

Suggests the idea is wildly strange or improbable.

FAQs

How can I use "alien thought" in a sentence?

You can use "alien thought" to describe a concept or idea that is foreign, strange, or unfamiliar to someone. For example: "The philosopher presented an "alien thought" that challenged conventional wisdom".

What's a good substitute for "alien thought"?

Alternatives to "alien thought" include "foreign idea", "strange notion", or "unfamiliar concept", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "alien thought" in formal writing?

Yes, "alien thought" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when discussing philosophical, cultural, or scientific concepts that are new or different. However, consider your audience and ensure the meaning is clear.

What is the difference between "alien thought" and "intrusive thought"?

"Alien thought" typically refers to a thought that is foreign or unfamiliar in origin or nature. "Intrusive thought", on the other hand, is a term used in psychology to describe unwanted and distressing thoughts that intrude into a person's mind, often associated with conditions like OCD.