capacity for thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capacity for thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's ability to think, reason, or engage in cognitive processes. Example: "The philosopher's work explores the limits of human capacity for thought and understanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

He obviously takes a risk, but, more important, He respects our capacity for thought.

The New Yorker

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

The New Yorker

Can one's capacity for thought about the external world be explained in terms of more primitive sorts of mental states or more basic sorts of content?

University of California, Berkeley

You can have the same thought processes happen in very different physical media; an alien with an entirely different biology would still have the capacity for thought.

Cornell University

Surely, he reflects, the mouse has some capacity for thought; Gombiner even thinks that the mouse has the capacity to share love and gratitude with him.

The New York Times

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Today, as Jones's formulation suggests, "smartness" suggests a particular species of sophistication brought by machines into daily living: the sophistication of tools which so effortlessly augment our capacities for thought and action that we feel like it's us getting smarter.

BBC

"I have been fortunate to be born with a restless and efficient brain, with a capacity for clear thought and an ability to put that thought into words," he once remarked.

The New York Times - Books

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

SEP

So initially I thought there must be some pretty hard limits on the robot's capacity for original thought.

TechCrunch

They had lost all capacity for critical thought.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts, use "capacity for thought" to highlight the potential or ability to engage in thinking, rather than just the act of thinking itself.

Common error

Avoid using "capacity for thought" when simpler terms like "ability to think" or "intelligence" would suffice. The phrase is most effective when emphasizing the potential or inherent capability, not just the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capacity for thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes the potential or ability to engage in cognitive processes, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capacity for thought" is a noun phrase indicating the potential or ability to engage in cognitive processes. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including academia, news, and science. While alternatives like "intellectual capability" or "reasoning ability" exist, "capacity for thought" is particularly useful when emphasizing inherent potential rather than just the act of thinking itself. Remember to avoid overuse in contexts where simpler terms would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intellectual capacity

Synonymous but focuses on intellectual aspect of the capacity.

cognitive capacity

Focuses on the mental processes involved in thinking.

mental capacity

A broader term encompassing all aspects of mental ability.

intellectual capability

Emphasizes the ability to understand and reason.

mental aptitude

Highlights a natural talent or skill for thinking.

ability to think

A simpler and more direct way to express the concept.

reasoning ability

Specifically refers to the power to draw logical conclusions.

aptitude for reasoning

Focuses on the natural inclination towards logical thought.

cognitive potential

Suggests the undeveloped capacity for thought.

power of reasoning

Emphasizes the strength and effectiveness of one's thinking.

FAQs

How can I use "capacity for thought" in a sentence?

You can use "capacity for thought" to describe someone's mental ability or potential. For example, "The course aims to expand students' "capacity for thought" and critical analysis".

What are some alternatives to "capacity for thought"?

Alternatives include "intellectual capability", "cognitive capacity", or "reasoning ability", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it more appropriate to use "capacity for thought" or "ability to think"?

"Capacity for thought" often suggests a potential or inherent capability, while "ability to think" refers to the current act or state of thinking. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "capacity for thought" and "mental capacity"?

"Mental capacity" is a broader term that encompasses all aspects of mental ability, including memory and attention, while "capacity for thought" specifically refers to the ability to reason and think logically.