brainstorm

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "brainstorm" is a perfectly acceptable word to use in written English.
You can use it to refer to a discussion or activity in which ideas are suggested and then discussed. For example: "We used a brainstorming session to come up with a list of possible solutions to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unfortunately the stage manager, in what she later admitted to be a brainstorm, pulled the lever for the fire sprinklers instead of the curtain.

The Guardian

With my business partner, Peter Ellis, we got on a boat on the Thames in 2004 to brainstorm what we might do.

The Guardian

York" creates a virtual world where residents, businesses and community groups can brainstorm council challenges and thrash out ideas to deliver solutions.

The Guardian

"Innovate" is used so many times that one wonders why such an educated thinkfluencer couldn't brainstorm any alternatives.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a Silicon Valley brainstorm inside the Googleplex, that would get written on the whiteboard.8 41: Bachmann was the only person in Washington saying "Do not raise the debt ceiling"?

The Economist

The euphemism 'domestic partnerships' does better in dodgy polling produced by advocacy groups, but legalization of this silly and (once again) emotionally symbolic brainstorm has so far been confined to a few of the most culturally leftist states.

The Economist

AT THE end of December 2014 Boris Nemtsov, a Russian liberal politician, strode into the offices of his small independent political party and announced that he had a brainstorm.

The Economist

The aim of the meeting in Los Angeles, he explains, was to use Google's convening power to get people from different groups that are studying or tackling illicit networks to sit down together, share knowledge and brainstorm potential projects.

The Economist

In August he invited scientists and experts in the field of cell biology to Seattle to brainstorm ideas around fighting cancer.

The Economist

The authors tested whether invoking political correctness would make groups more, or less, able to brainstorm.

The Economist

Even the chief statistician of the OECD called for better measures of the progress than the traditional yardstick provided by GDP thereby adopting a cause that used to be a hobby-horse reserved for environmental activists.The 700 were divided ino nearly 70 "Global Agenda Councils", and encouraged to brainstorm.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brainstorm" when you want to emphasize a collaborative and creative problem-solving process. Ensure all participants feel comfortable sharing ideas without judgment.

Common error

While "brainstorm" is a useful term, avoid using it excessively in professional settings. Opt for more specific terms like "idea generation session" or "creative problem-solving workshop" to convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "brainstorm" is a verb, indicating the act of generating ideas, often in a group setting. Ludwig examples show its versatile usage in expressing collaborative problem-solving. The word can also function as a noun referring to the act of brainstorming itself.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brainstorm" functions primarily as a verb describing a collaborative idea-generation process, though it can also be a noun. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, especially in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it carries a professional connotation. For alternative expressions, consider "generate ideas" or "develop solutions". Avoid overuse and be mindful of context to maintain professionalism. Using "brainstorm" effectively fosters creativity and collaborative problem-solving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come up with ideas

A more casual way of saying generate ideas, focusing on the act of producing thoughts.

generate ideas

Focuses on the outcome of a brainstorming session, which is the generation of ideas.

generate new concepts

Similar to generating ideas, but focuses on creating entirely new concepts.

develop solutions

Highlights the problem-solving aspect of brainstorming, aiming to develop solutions.

exchange ideas

Highlights the interactive exchange of thoughts and suggestions.

think creatively

Emphasizes the creative thinking process involved in brainstorming.

collaborate on ideas

Stresses the collaborative nature of brainstorming.

devise strategies

Focuses on the strategic planning aspect that might arise during a brainstorming session.

explore possibilities

Highlights the exploratory aspect of considering different options.

share perspectives

Emphasizes the importance of sharing different viewpoints during the session.

FAQs

How to use "brainstorm" in a sentence?

You can use "brainstorm" as a verb, meaning to generate ideas in a group, or as a noun, referring to a sudden insightful idea. For example: "Let's "brainstorm" solutions to this problem" or "I had a "brainstorm" last night about a new marketing campaign."

What can I say instead of "brainstorm"?

You can use alternatives like "generate ideas", "develop solutions", or "think creatively" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "brainstorming session"?

Yes, "brainstorming session" is a commonly used and perfectly acceptable term. It specifically refers to a dedicated period for generating ideas collaboratively.

What's the difference between "brainstorm" and "think about"?

"Brainstorm" implies a group activity focused on generating many ideas, while "think about" is a general term for individual contemplation. For example, “We need to "brainstorm" to come up with solutions” versus “I need to "think about" this problem.”