collect their thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

'collect their thoughts' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone taking a pause to organize their thoughts or ideas before speaking or writing something. For example: After a few moments, she paused to collect her thoughts before continuing her speech.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Anybody could go there and collect their thoughts.

The New York Times

Likewise, people prone to anger need time to calm down and collect their thoughts.

The New York Times - Health

Among the manicured lawns and gravel paths, two women took a break last weekend from the hectic round of briefings to collect their thoughts.

The Guardian

Yesterday, as those in the prince's camp were trying to collect their thoughts after such an attack, there were already the rumblings of anger.

The Guardian

In the primary debates, Trump and Clinton both took advantage of frequent commercial breaks to use the restroom or collect their thoughts.

The Washington Post

If writers were there just to look at clothes and collect their thoughts for reviews and future articles, there would be no finicky emphasis on placement, as though we were guests at a private dinner party.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Over the last few years I've traveled to more than 35 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America talking to farmers and farmers groups, scientists and researchers, policymakers and academics, youth, journalists and others collecting their thoughts about what's working to increase incomes, raised yields, improve nutrition and protect the environment.

Huffington Post

As I travelled around, collecting their deeply thought-provoking, challenging, and moving stories, I often scribbled more words in my notebook in the course of a day than there are in this, the (not short) first reported piece I ever wrote for the magazine.

The New Yorker

The others -- perhaps more thoughtful -- need at least a few minutes to collect and organize their thoughts and will fail to do a finished piece of work.

The New York Times

So, when your child has an anxious thought, teach them to pause and ask themselves, "Is this really true?" Children can even put their detective hats on and collect evidence to see whether their thoughts are true.

HuffPost

Collect your thoughts and remain calm, saying how "you thought that they would be okay with it because of their big heart" or something.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "collect their thoughts" when you want to emphasize the act of pausing to organize one's ideas before speaking or acting, especially in situations requiring careful consideration.

Common error

While "collect their thoughts" is valid, avoid using it excessively in narratives where a quick pace is desired. Overusing it can slow down the story and make characters seem indecisive or slow-witted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collect their thoughts" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger sentence. It describes an action taken by someone to organize their ideas before speaking or acting. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "collect their thoughts" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of pausing to organize one's ideas. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, and it serves the purpose of indicating a moment of mental preparation. While alternatives like "gather their thoughts" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. It's advisable to avoid overuse in fast-paced narratives to maintain momentum.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather their thoughts

Focuses more on the act of assembling or bringing thoughts together.

organize their thoughts

Highlights the structuring and arranging of ideas in a coherent manner.

compose themselves

Emphasizes regaining composure and a state of mental readiness.

center themselves

Implies finding inner balance and focus before proceeding.

pull themselves together

Suggests overcoming a state of disarray to regain mental clarity.

take a moment to reflect

Highlights the aspect of thoughtful consideration and introspection.

pause for reflection

Emphasizes a temporary halt to allow for deeper thinking.

take time to consider

Stresses the allocation of sufficient time for thorough deliberation.

deliberate

Implies a careful and thorough consideration of the matter at hand.

mull over

Suggests a more casual and relaxed form of contemplation.

FAQs

How can I use "collect their thoughts" in a sentence?

You can use "collect their thoughts" to describe someone pausing to organize their ideas. For example, "She paused to collect her thoughts before answering the difficult question."

What are some alternatives to "collect their thoughts"?

Some alternatives include "gather their thoughts", "organize their thoughts", or "compose themselves" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "collect my thoughts" or "gather my thoughts"?

Both "collect my thoughts" and "gather my thoughts" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on personal preference, although "collect" might suggest a slightly more deliberate process.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "collect their thoughts"?

It's appropriate when someone needs a moment to mentally organize themselves before speaking or acting. It suggests a brief pause for clarity and focus.