cloud of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'cloud of thought' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a series of ideas or thoughts, particularly those of intense contemplation or contemplation that is difficult to express. For example, "He sat in silence, letting his cloud of thought swim around his mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was not that the sun had passed behind some cloud of thought; no, it was that I finally woke up to the truth that we must all get about by the dim glow of candles, praying all the while that a strong wind isn't coming.

Huffington Post

This is what makes football more than just a game or televisual entertainment: the fact that it really exists not on the pitch or screen itself, but in a massive, sentient storm cloud of thought and talk that drifts across the globe, periodically settling above anyone brave or stupid enough to try to alter its course.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A riff on the popular "Feels Guy" sub-meme "I Wish I Was At Home Playing Video Games," the meme is based on a character standing in the corner of a party with a cloud of thoughts surrounding them, including judgements of others and snobby remarks about music.

Vice

A riff on the popular "Feels Guy" sub-meme "I Wish I Was At Home Playing Video Games," the meme is based on a character standing in the corner of a party with a cloud of thoughts surrounding them, including judgements of others, misogynistic remarks, and snobby opinions about music.

Vice

Determined not to let another mass shooting fade away in a cloud of thoughts and prayers, these students clearly and cogently refuted the usual politicized narratives pumped out of D.C. after each mass shooting, first on television mere hours after the attack and then directly on Twitter: #We Call BS! quickly rolled into #WeAreTheChange.

Los Angeles Times

It is a discipline of falling through the clouds of thought and feeling.

Huffington Post

Inner peace, the heart realm of deep love, expansiveness, and centeredness are seen from a distance through clouds of thought.

Huffington Post

Gréaud explains, "The underground shibari studio is where the main character, Willem Dafoe weaves and links his clouds of thought and narrations.

Vice

Other times It can feel like you're practicing in a storm cloud of negative thoughts, memories you hoped to forget, and feelings you thought you'd dealt with (they definitely didn't tell you this).

HuffPost

And now that he has split with his last swing coach, Hank Haney, there is no one to check or to validate the cloud of swing thoughts at once paranoid ("I'm cupping my wrist!") or falsely hopeful ("If I just hold my spine angle!") that invariably descend on the golfer who is doing badly.

The New York Times - Sports

What about relaxing, taking a walk, seeing all the different shades of green, basking in the clear sky of our mind without the clouds of constant thought?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cloud of thought" to evoke a sense of complex, interwoven, and potentially unclear thinking. It is suitable when describing a character's internal state or a general atmosphere of contemplation.

Common error

Avoid using "cloud of thought" when you need to express precise or easily understandable ideas. Opt for phrases that convey clarity and directness, such as "clear idea" or "specific intention".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cloud of thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object in a sentence, describing a state of mind characterized by complex or unclear thinking. As stated by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cloud of thought" is a noun phrase used to describe a complex, interwoven, and often unclear state of thinking. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not overly frequent, it is appropriate for describing a character's internal state or a general atmosphere of contemplation, especially in news and media contexts. Be mindful to avoid using it when clarity is required, and consider alternatives like "train of thought" or "mental haze" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

train of thought

Focuses on the sequential nature of thinking, rather than the nebulous aspect.

stream of consciousness

Emphasizes the continuous flow of thoughts and feelings.

mental haze

Suggests a state of confusion or lack of clarity in thinking.

intellectual fog

Implies difficulty in understanding or processing information.

cognitive dissonance

Refers to conflicting thoughts or beliefs causing mental discomfort.

inner monologue

Highlights the internal conversation within one's mind.

complex of ideas

Indicates a structured collection of related concepts.

cognitive overload

Describes a state of being overwhelmed by excessive mental stimulation.

mental landscape

Presents thoughts as a complex and varied internal environment.

realm of thought

Indicates the abstract space where thinking occurs.

FAQs

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

You can use "cloud of thought" to describe a complex and unclear state of thinking, such as, "He sat silently, lost in a "cloud of thought", trying to make sense of the situation."

What are some alternatives to "cloud of thought"?

Some alternatives include "train of thought", "stream of consciousness", or "mental haze", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Consider also phrases like "intellectual fog" or "realm of thought".

Is "cloud of thought" a formal or informal expression?

"Cloud of thought" leans towards a neutral to slightly formal register and it's used for literary purposes. Its appropriateness depends on the overall tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "cloud of thought" and "train of thought"?

"Cloud of thought" describes a more diffuse and less structured state of thinking, while "train of thought" suggests a linear and sequential progression of ideas.