can do thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can do thinking" is not correct and sounds awkward in written English.
It is not commonly used and may confuse readers; a clearer expression would be preferable. Example: "In this role, you can do thinking and problem-solving to find innovative solutions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has been said, in fact, that one of most important sources of the American national identity of self-reliance and "can-do" thinking stems from the fact that almost all of us descend from people who left somewhere else and set out into the unknown driven by the faith that a better place existed.

Huffington Post

It takes a great deal of effort to listen well, and most people would prefer not to work hard at something they think they can do without thinking.

The New York Times

The ruling elite have humanities degrees because they can do critical thinking, they can test premises, they can think outside the box, they can problem-solve, they can communicate, they don't have linear, one-solution models with which to approach the world.

The Guardian

I like a space to think in — if you can call what I do thinking".

The New Yorker

Your correspondent looks forward to the day when such a superior intellect can do his thinking for him.

The Economist

It has shown that although computers can easily do some things people find hard (such as playing chess), they cannot fathom many things people can do without thinking.

The Economist

The bass line moves forward and throws in the kind of circular fillip that would take ages to sample but that a practiced session player can do without thinking.

The New Yorker

That's not just something these traditional companies can do without thinking of their IT investment, which is often more than 20 years old.

TechCrunch

"We want to play with the same gay abandon that we did this season and, with the support of our fans, who knows what we can do?" Before thinking about another promotion and a potential return to the Premier League, Moxey insists their immediate attention has to be focussed on sorting out the squad at Molineux.

BBC

Though humans are limited to 300 million pattern recognizers, only the neocortex can do hierarchical thinking and only mammals have a neocortex.

Huffington Post

Share all your dreams BUT keep a little private space where you can do your thinking and your logging how things are going.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "can do thinking", opt for clearer and more conventional alternatives such as "think critically", "engage in cognitive processes", or "apply reasoning skills" to ensure your writing is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "can do thinking" in formal writing. While understandable, it sounds unnatural and may detract from the clarity and professionalism of your message. Prefer more standard expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can do thinking" functions as a verb phrase where "can do" acts as a modal-like construction modifying the noun "thinking". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is not grammatically correct and sounds awkward in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Forbes

8%

The New York Times

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can do thinking" is considered grammatically incorrect and stylistically awkward. Although some examples exist across various sources like The New York Times, Huffington Post and Forbes, Ludwig AI advises against its use in formal writing due to its unconventional nature. More appropriate alternatives include "think critically", "engage in cognitive processes", or "apply reasoning skills". While understandable in informal contexts, it is best to opt for clearer and more established expressions to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

think critically

Condenses the phrase to a more standard adverbial usage.

apply reasoning skills

Highlights the use of logical and rational thinking.

think creatively

Describes "thinking" as a creative process.

engage in cognitive processes

Replaces the more direct "do thinking" with a formal and scientific term.

utilize problem-solving abilities

Shifts the focus to the application of thinking in resolving issues.

exercise critical thought

Emphasizes the application of analytical and evaluative thinking.

perform mental tasks

Focuses on the execution of specific mental operations.

conduct intellectual analysis

Replaces "thinking" with "intellectual analysis", emphasizing a more structured approach.

engage in abstract thought

Specifies the type of thinking as abstract and conceptual.

perform intellectual work

Focuses on "thinking" as a labor and emphasizes the work that the mind performs.

FAQs

How can I replace the phrase "can do thinking" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "think critically", "engage in cognitive processes", or "apply reasoning skills" depending on the context.

Is "can do thinking" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "can do thinking" is not considered grammatically standard or stylistically elegant in English. It's better to use more established phrases.

What is a more formal way to say "can do thinking"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "engage in cognitive processes", "perform mental tasks", or "exercise critical thought".

In what contexts might "can do thinking" be acceptable?

The phrase "can do thinking" might be acceptable in very informal settings or when aiming for a folksy or deliberately unpolished tone. However, it's generally best to avoid it in formal or professional writing.