cascade of thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

"cascade of thoughts" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a quick succession of ideas, thoughts, or images that one may have about something. For example: "Whenever I think of my childhood, a cascade of thoughts comes rushing back to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The conversation started a cascade of thoughts that has carried me to the writing of this article today.

HuffPost

Dr. Grizzard's study suggests that, although violent games may indeed get us thinking, the cascade of thoughts we have may be more complex than simply saying they are "aggressive thoughts".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As the sweat and rapidly beating heart that accompany panic start to increase, the patient is taught to stop the cascade of negative thoughts by yelling "stop" or by using a distraction technique like counting back from 1,000 by 7. Dr. Wiederhold also teaches clients how to rein in their anxiety by taking deep slow breaths to slow pounding hearts and reduce the sweating.

The New York Times - Health

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Vice

No one graced pages with such an impetuous cascade of observations, visualized thoughts, brainstormed alternatives, theories, polemics, and debates concerning virtually every branch of knowledge about the visible world.

Princeton University

Thus, one minor impediment or problem may trigger a cascade of negative automatic thought (e.g. " My child is bad" or "I am a bad parent"), that lead to feelings of distress, hopelessness, low self-esteem or learned helplessness [ 33].

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

The explosion came later, when complaints poured in that the show had failed to solve the season-long mystery the network had advertised with the teasing slogan "Who Killed Rosie Larsen?" In the wake of that cascade of ill will I had two thoughts.

The New York Times - Arts

What kind of thoughts?

Independent

Thought: Unless you are aware of the content of your "self-talk," you will be unable to prevent even a fleeting thought from triggering a cascade of physiological, emotional, and behavioral responses that may take you mindlessly away from your desired destination.

Yale University

Deepak Chopra says: "Every time we have a thought, we set off a cascade of cellular reactions in our nervous system that influence all the molecules in our body".

Huffington Post

But the invention of language would plausibly have released the earliest of the cultural and technological innovations that symbolic thought makes possible in the process unleashing a cascade of discoveries that is still ongoing.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cascade of thoughts" to vividly describe a rapid, often overwhelming sequence of ideas or reflections. It's particularly effective in conveying a sense of mental activity or emotional intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "cascade of thoughts" when a simpler term like "some thoughts" or "several ideas" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where the rapid, overwhelming nature of the thoughts is significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cascade of thoughts" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a mental process, referring to a rapid and abundant sequence of ideas or reflections. Ludwig confirms this use in its examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cascade of thoughts" is a vivid expression used to depict a rapid succession of ideas or reflections. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase finds its primary contexts in news and media, academia, and science, indicating its versatility across different registers. The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "cascade of thoughts", it's important to reserve it for situations where the overwhelming nature of the thought process is significant, and avoid overuse in simpler contexts. Consider alternatives like "flood of thoughts" or "stream of thoughts" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chain of thoughts

Emphasizes a sequential, linked progression of ideas.

series of thoughts

Highlights the ordered sequence of thoughts, similar to a chain but less interconnected.

flood of thoughts

Suggests a sudden, overwhelming rush of ideas.

stream of thoughts

Implies a continuous, flowing sequence of ideas.

succession of thoughts

Focuses on the sequential aspect of thoughts coming one after another.

sequence of thoughts

Similar to 'succession', emphasizing a specific order of thoughts.

number of thoughts

This phrase focuses on quantity of thoughts

range of thoughts

This phrase focuses on variety of thoughts

array of thoughts

This phrase focuses on a structured set of thoughts

set of thoughts

This phrase focuses on a a pre-defined group of thoughts

FAQs

How can I use "cascade of thoughts" in a sentence?

You can use "cascade of thoughts" to describe a rapid succession of ideas or memories. For example: "The old photograph triggered a cascade of thoughts about my childhood".

What can I say instead of "cascade of thoughts"?

You can use alternatives like "flood of thoughts", "stream of thoughts", or "chain of thoughts" depending on the specific context.

Is "cascade of thoughts" a formal or informal expression?

"Cascade of thoughts" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more common in descriptive or narrative writing. Consider the audience and purpose of your writing when deciding whether to use it.

What's the difference between "cascade of thoughts" and "flow of thoughts"?

"Cascade of thoughts" implies a rapid, possibly overwhelming sequence, while "flow of thoughts" suggests a smoother, more continuous progression. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.