ceased to think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ceased to think" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has stopped thinking or reflecting on a particular matter or in general. Example: "After the shocking news, he seemed to have ceased to think clearly about his next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

She ceased to think.

The New Yorker

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

Independent

But because of their entrenchment and cloistering, they've ceased to think that there's any reason or possibility of looking outwards.

The Guardian - Books

I was looking at myself in ways I hadn't thought of before and have never ceased to think of since".

The New Yorker

George Sand once said that "writing a journal implies that one has ceased to think of the future and has decided to live wholly in the present".

The New Yorker

Over the decades prior to it the Fed rooted inflation expectations so firmly at low levels that households ceased to think about broad price and wage shifts as economically meaningful.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Magazine

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ceased to think" to denote a complete stop in mental processing or reflection. It is most effective when emphasizing a significant shift in someone's state of mind or behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "ceased to think" when you simply mean someone is distracted or not currently focusing. This phrase implies a more fundamental or permanent cessation of thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ceased to think" functions as a verb phrase indicating the termination of cognitive activity. As Ludwig suggests, it directly communicates the end of thought processes. Examples show its use in describing a shift in mental state.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ceased to think" effectively conveys the cessation of cognitive activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in formal and informal contexts, though it leans towards a neutral register. While alternatives like "stopped thinking" exist, "ceased to think" carries a slightly more sophisticated tone. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, suggesting its value in describing significant shifts in mental states. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the implication of a complete stop in thought, rather than mere distraction or lack of focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stopped thinking

Replaces "ceased" with "stopped", indicating a halt in thought.

stopped considering

Substitutes "thinking" with "considering", focusing on a halt in contemplation.

quit thinking

Uses "quit" instead of "ceased", implying a deliberate decision to stop thinking.

halted thought

More concise; "halted" replaces "ceased to" and "thought" replaces "thinking".

abandoned reflection

Replaces "ceased to think" with a more formal and abstract expression.

gave up on thinking

Emphasizes a sense of resignation or defeat in relation to thinking.

no longer pondered

Uses "pondered" to specify a type of thinking and "no longer" to indicate cessation.

thinking ended

A more direct and simple way to state that thinking has stopped.

reflection ceased

Focuses specifically on the cessation of reflection.

reasoning stopped

Highlights the end of a reasoning process.

FAQs

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

You can use "ceased to think" to indicate a complete stop in mental processing, as in "After the accident, he seemed to have "ceased to think" clearly."

What are some alternatives to "ceased to think"?

Alternatives include "stopped thinking", "stopped considering", or "abandoned reflection", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "stopped thinking" or "ceased to think"?

"Ceased to think" is more formal. "Stopped thinking" is generally more common and less formal.

What does it mean when someone has "ceased to think"?

It means they have stopped engaging in conscious thought or reflection, often due to shock, trauma, or a significant emotional event. It suggests a more profound state than simply being distracted.