cease to think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cease to think" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of stopping or discontinuing thought processes or contemplation. Example: "In moments of extreme stress, some people may feel as if they cease to think clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

If both parties cease to think about it as a win-lose game, I am confident we can find a comprehensive model that would make the pie much bigger for everyone.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It's not the same as despair, because your mind is still saying: 'No, there must be a solution.' But we were 180 miles from the nearest land and the adrenaline goes and you just cease to think.

The Guardian - Sport

Again, Buell confides, "Nor, despite his awareness of and support for American diversity, did he cease to think of Englishness as the dominant ethnic influence in the making of America and especially of New England" — as if in 1850 any other view were possible.

The New Yorker

Not long after he arrived in Arles, he wrote to Gauguin, "I must tell you that even while working I never cease to think about this enterprise of setting up studio with yourself and me as permanent residents, but which we'd both wish to make into a shelter and a refuge for our pals at moments when they find themselves at an impasse in their struggle".

The New Yorker

If we cease to think of evolution as progressive in general (as we should), then we should also cease to single out apparent exceptions as regressive.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

I played with LEGOs when I was young, but I wonder how long they'll remain relevant when even fans like myself cease to think of LEGO as the actual blocks, and think of them more as a brand of toys and games.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

She ceased to think.

The New Yorker

What if we all ceased to think with our epidermis?

The New York Times - Books

He had a stylish gait and never ceased to think of himself as a lucky fellow.

The Guardian

Bolaño, however, began his career as a poet and never ceased to think of himself as one.

Independent

Would ceasing to think so much about becoming a better person actually make me a better person?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cease to think" when you want to emphasize a complete or deliberate stop to thinking, often in response to overwhelming emotions or extreme situations.

Common error

Avoid using "cease to think" in everyday scenarios where "stop thinking" is more appropriate. The former carries a stronger, more dramatic connotation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cease to think" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a larger verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it is found in various contexts to describe the act of stopping or discontinuing thought processes. This can be a deliberate action or an involuntary response to circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cease to think" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to describe the stopping of thought processes. Ludwig AI indicates that while grammatically sound, the expression is relatively uncommon. Predominantly found in news, media, and academic contexts, it suggests a more complete and deliberate halt to thinking compared to simpler alternatives like "stop thinking". When using this phrase, consider the context and ensure it aligns with the dramatic or emphatic tone it conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop thinking

This is the most direct and straightforward alternative, simply meaning to halt the process of thinking.

halt all thought

This suggests a more abrupt and complete cessation of thought, implying a forceful stop.

suspend thought

This indicates a temporary pause in thinking, suggesting a later resumption.

become mindless

This describes a state of being without thought, often implying a lack of awareness or consciousness.

lose consciousness

This refers to a loss of awareness, which includes the cessation of thinking as a component.

blank out

This suggests a temporary mental block or inability to recall or think clearly.

go blank

Similar to 'blank out', this implies a temporary absence of thought or mental activity.

enter a meditative state

This refers to a specific practice aimed at quieting the mind and reducing active thought.

become unthinking

This describes acting or behaving without conscious thought or consideration.

discontinue contemplation

This refers to ending a period of deep or prolonged thought on a particular subject.

FAQs

How can I use "cease to think" in a sentence?

You can use "cease to think" to describe a situation where someone stops having conscious thoughts, such as "During the crisis, he seemed to "cease to think" and acted purely on instinct."

What's a more common way to say "cease to think"?

A more common way to express the idea of stopping thinking is to use alternatives like "stop thinking" or "quit thinking", which are suitable for everyday contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "cease to think" instead of "stop thinking"?

"Cease to think" is appropriate when you want to emphasize a complete or abrupt halt to mental processes, often in moments of crisis or extreme emotion, while "stop thinking" is more general.

What does it mean when someone is described as having "ceased to think"?

When someone is described as having "ceased to think", it suggests they have stopped engaging in conscious thought, possibly due to shock, fear, or overwhelming emotion, leading them to act without rational consideration.