base thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "base thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental or underlying idea that serves as the foundation for further reasoning or discussion. Example: "The base thought behind her argument was that all individuals deserve equal rights, regardless of their background."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It lends new meaning to the tell-all: there's no fleeting desire or base thought that can flicker through Belfort's mind that Scorsese can't or won't show — and nothing he shows flickering onto the screen that can't give outrageous delight.

The New Yorker

It lends new meaning to the tell-all: there's no fleeting desire or base thought that can flicker through Belfort's mind that Scorsese can't or won't show and nothing he shows flickering onto the screen that can't give outrageous delight.

The New Yorker

"Beyond that, his own base thought he was doing the wrong thing.

The New York Times

Gary Sheffield, standing on first base, thought the ball would at least hit the left-field wall.

The New York Times

Part of the reason we got reelected ... is our base thought we were serious.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Because couches are less comfortable, they offer fewer temptations toward "base thoughts," she explains.

The New York Times

There's so much terrible stuff in the clubs: you see audience's minds being polluted by awful language and base thoughts.

The Guardian

Yet it is the darkness where the thrills occur, and the lurid pictures, and the base thoughts, and the strange words to describe them, and you giddily are lost among unseen and unheard-of things.

The New York Times - Books

While several members of their fan-base thought this was a horrible idea, Facebook realized that this was something they had to do to attract the masses and become the largest social network in the world.

Forbes

He contrasted Emerson's "positive thinking," which suppressed our baser thoughts, with the Puritan preoccupation with the flawed nature of mankind.

The New York Times

Here, Plato inferred a (within-group!) golden rule from an empirically based thought-experiment.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "base thought" when you want to emphasize the foundational or underlying nature of an idea, especially in contexts where reasoning or belief systems are being discussed.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "base thought", which implies a foundational idea, with 'baseless thought', which means an idea without any foundation or evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "base thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically used to denote a fundamental or underlying concept. It serves as the subject or object of a sentence, representing the core idea or belief upon which something is built. Ludwig examples show its use in philosophical and analytical contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "base thought" refers to a fundamental or underlying idea. Although Ludwig indicates its grammatical correctness, its usage is rare. Typically functioning as a noun phrase, it is used to establish a foundation for analysis or understanding, and its register is generally neutral. "Base thought" should not be confused with 'baseless thought', as they have opposite meanings. Alternatives like "fundamental idea" or "core belief" may be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental idea

A more direct synonym, emphasizing the essential nature of the thought.

principal concept

Similar to 'fundamental idea' but with a slightly more formal tone.

basic premise

Stresses the role as a starting point for reasoning.

foundational concept

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of the idea.

underlying assumption

Focuses on the idea being a presupposition.

chief notion

Emphasizes the prominence and importance of the idea.

core belief

Highlights the conviction aspect of the thought.

root principle

Highlights the origin and guiding nature of the thought.

central tenet

Highlights the thought as a key component of a belief system.

primary consideration

Shifts focus to the importance of the thought in decision-making.

FAQs

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

You can use "base thought" to refer to the core idea or fundamental assumption upon which an argument or belief system is built. For example, "The "basic premise" of his argument was a commitment to individual liberty."

What's a good alternative to "base thought"?

Alternatives include "fundamental idea", "core belief", or "underlying assumption", depending on the specific context.

Is "base thought" the same as "basic thought"?

While similar, "base thought" often implies a more foundational or essential idea, whereas "basic thought" can simply refer to a simple or elementary idea. Think of "base thought" as the root from which other thoughts spring.

What's the difference between "base thought" and "superstructure thought"?

"Base thought" represents the foundational idea, while the concept of "supporting thought" constitute subsequent derived ideas. For example, a base thought may be 'equality', with supporting thoughts being specific policies promoting equality.