capacities of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capacities of thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the mental abilities or cognitive functions of an individual or group. Example: "The study aimed to explore the capacities of thought that influence decision-making processes in complex situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In building our physical and social worlds, we build (or rather, we massively reconfigure) our minds and our capacities of thought and reason.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The problem is these are only intellectual concepts as phenomena itself does not have any bias or capacity of thought.

WikiHow

They have a huge inventory of instances, but their capacity for thought isn't so different from that of the tic-tac-toe machine in the science museum.

The New Yorker

It is probably not reason as a faculty that Parmenides intends here, but the reasoning aspect of noos, the capacity for thought in general.

SEP

We're not just losing the capacity for those modes of thought.

Forbes

In its three months of incubation, it grows exponentially in its capacity for thought.

The New Yorker

Will the youngest members of our species develop their capacities for the deepest forms of thought while reading or will they become a culture of very different readers – with some children so inured to a surfeit of information that they have neither the time nor the motivation to go beyond superficial decoding?

The Guardian - Tech

However, at the same time she acknowledges that the capacity for thought, and the free will essential to it, is dependent on the overall condition of the body.

SEP

For Fichte, reflection indicates the free activity of consciousness taking itself as its own object of thought: its capacity for thinking of thinking.

SEP

Other theories take the selectivity of attention to be the result of limitations in the thinking subject's capacity to consciously entertain multiple trains of thought.

SEP

Critically, decoupling could explain our capacity for orderly, internally guided trains of thought because it would prevent external events from interfering with such offline cognitive processes [8].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the potential for growth or development in cognitive skills, use "capacities of thought" to emphasize the inherent ability and potential for improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "capacities of thought" as a catch-all term for intelligence or knowledge. Instead, specify the particular cognitive skill or ability you are referring to, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, or creative reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacities of thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the inherent or developed mental abilities related to thinking, reasoning, and cognitive processing. Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capacities of thought" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe mental abilities related to thinking and reasoning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in scientific, academic, and news contexts, it serves to discuss intellectual potential. While alternatives like "cognitive abilities" or "mental faculties" exist, "capacities of thought" emphasizes the potential for growth and development. Avoid using it as an overgeneralization; instead, specify the cognitive skill you intend to address for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cognitive abilities

Focuses more directly on the measurable mental skills.

mental faculties

Emphasizes the inherent powers of the mind.

thinking skills

Highlights the practical application of thought.

intellectual capabilities

Stresses the ability to reason and understand complex ideas.

reasoning abilities

Specifically refers to the capacity for logical thought.

cognitive potential

Highlights future development of the mental abilities.

powers of reasoning

Emphasizes the strength and efficacy of thought.

mental acuity

Refers to the sharpness and clarity of thought.

intellectual prowess

Implies exceptional skill in thinking and reasoning.

thought processes

Focuses on the mechanics and methods of thinking rather than the ability itself.

FAQs

How can I use "capacities of thought" in a sentence?

You can use "capacities of thought" to refer to someone's mental abilities. For example: "The study aimed to explore the capacities of thought that influence decision-making processes."

What are some alternatives to "capacities of thought"?

Alternatives include "cognitive abilities", "mental faculties", or "thinking skills" depending on the specific context.

Is "capacities of thought" a formal or informal phrase?

"Capacities of thought" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is often used in academic and scientific writing.

What's the difference between "capacities of thought" and "cognitive functions"?

"Capacities of thought" refers more broadly to the potential and abilities of the mind, while "cognitive functions" refers to specific mental processes such as memory, attention, and language.