coarse thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coarse thoughts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe thoughts that are rough, unrefined, or lacking in subtlety. Example: "His coarse thoughts on the matter revealed a lack of understanding and sensitivity towards the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There are times when the heroines of Henry James' novels provoke just such coarse thoughts — moments when the thread of sympathetic attention snaps and we fretfully wonder why these girls have always to be so ridiculously fine.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And so a lot of writers' time is spent in working out or refining coarse thought".

The New York Times

Coarse, he thought again, coarse as cabbage.

The New York Times - Magazine

Researchers at the University of Toronto have put together a new technique for coarse determination of thought processes and preferences.

TechCrunch

But Banville seems to mistake this for mere elongation; the grain of his thought and his prose are too coarse to make his attempt credible.

The New Yorker

Mr. Russell Beale's Felix Humble dresses badly, behaves madly, combines a sharp wit with suicidal thoughts, and loathes his mother's lover, a cheerfully coarse businessman played by Denis Quilley.

The New York Times

Those less interested in deep thoughts about the passage of life and its alternative had the coarser pleasures of a passive demolition derby.

The New York Times - Arts

In Book II he considers writing an epic, is preoccupied with the thought of death, and attacks (in the manner of later satirists, such as Juvenal) the coarse materialism of his time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are times when the heroines of Henry James' novels provoke just such coarse thoughts moments when the thread of sympathetic attention snaps and we fretfully wonder why these girls have always to be so ridiculously fine.

The New Yorker

"Rather — coarse".

The New York Times - Books

Coarse language.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "coarse thoughts", ensure the context clearly indicates the lack of refinement or sophistication in the thoughts being described. This can add depth to character portrayals or critiques of ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "coarse thoughts" when you intend to describe complex or challenging ideas. "Coarse" implies a lack of nuance, not necessarily difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coarse thoughts" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "coarse" characterizes the nature of the thoughts, indicating they are unrefined or crude. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "coarse thoughts" describes thinking that is unrefined, crude, or lacking in subtlety. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While its frequency is uncommon, its primary contexts are in news, encyclopedias and scientific sources, although can be used also in literature or conversations. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in indicating the lack of sophistication or sensitivity, while avoiding its use for complex or challenging ideas that simply require deeper understanding. Alternatives such as "vulgar ideas" or "crude notions" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. By carefully considering its connotations and usage, "coarse thoughts" can effectively add depth and critical perspective to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vulgar ideas

Replaces "coarse" with "vulgar", emphasizing a lack of refinement or good taste.

crude notions

Uses "crude" instead of "coarse", highlighting a basic or unpolished quality of the thoughts.

unrefined musings

Substitutes "unrefined" for "coarse" and "musings" for thoughts, suggesting a lack of sophistication in one's contemplations.

boorish reflections

Replaces "coarse" with "boorish", indicating rudeness and a lack of consideration in the thoughts.

gross mental images

Uses "gross" to describe the thoughts, emphasizing their unpleasant or offensive nature and specifies them as "mental images".

indecent mental pictures

Replaces "coarse" with "indecent", implying impropriety and uses "mental pictures" instead of "thoughts".

rough considerations

Replaces "coarse" with "rough", suggesting a lack of smoothness and uses "considerations" instead of "thoughts".

earthy contemplations

Uses "earthy" instead of "coarse", indicating a connection to basic or primal instincts in the thoughts.

uncouth ponderings

Substitutes "uncouth" for "coarse", highlighting the lack of manners or grace, and uses "ponderings" instead of "thoughts".

ungentlemanly ideas

Replaces "coarse" with "ungentlemanly", specifically highlighting ideas that are not suitable for a refined individual.

FAQs

What does "coarse thoughts" mean?

The term "coarse thoughts" refers to thoughts that are unrefined, crude, or lacking in subtlety. They often indicate a lack of sophistication or sensitivity.

When is it appropriate to use the term "coarse thoughts" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "coarse thoughts" when describing a character's lack of refinement, critiquing an idea's simplicity, or highlighting a lack of sensitivity. For alternative ways to express similar ideas with subtle differences in nuance or emphasis, you can say "vulgar ideas" or "crude notions".

Are there any negative connotations associated with "coarse thoughts"?

Yes, "coarse thoughts" generally carries negative connotations, suggesting a lack of sophistication, sensitivity, or refinement. It implies that the thoughts are crude, unpolished, or even offensive.

What are some alternative ways to express the idea of "coarse thoughts"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives such as "unrefined musings", "boorish reflections", or "gross mental images" to convey similar meanings.