complex thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complex thoughts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing intricate or multifaceted ideas, emotions, or mental processes. Example: "The author delves into the protagonist's complex thoughts, revealing the struggles they face throughout the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Health

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are still club boasts and drug-trade chronicles, but largely thanks to Mr. West's best-selling example, other subjects are re-emerging from the sidelines: complex thoughts on celebrity, stray political observations, personal confessions and a psychological complexity that hip-hop's old cartoon personas would rarely allow themselves.

The New York Times - Arts

Eventually they hope to transmit more complex thoughts.

The Guardian

The translation is good even when conveying more complex thoughts.

The New York Times - Tech

E-mail has allowed us to "talk" again more fully, to share complex thoughts and feelings.

The New York Times - Magazine

I can convey complex thoughts to people with whom I don't share a language.

The Guardian - Books

He was gifted with a "Mozart-like" facility for getting complex thoughts on to paper.

The Guardian - Books

Complex thoughts are set forth with a lucidity that conceals the depth of the intellectual analysis.

The Economist

Her recovery has been significant although she still struggles to communicate complex thoughts.

The New York Times

As a writer, Berger has that rare and wonderful gift of being able to make complex thoughts simple.

The Guardian - Books

Although the novel faithfully reflects characters' complex thoughts and feelings, it lacks the narrative momentum of Aswany's finest fiction.

The Guardian - Books

NHS staff do an exceptional job of managing people's complex thoughts and behaviours – they aren't given the credit they deserve.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complex thoughts" when you want to emphasize the intricate and multifaceted nature of thinking, emotions, or mental processes. It's particularly effective when discussing abstract concepts or profound reflections.

Common error

Avoid using "complex thoughts" to describe simple or straightforward ideas. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily verbose. Reserve it for truly intricate and multifaceted concepts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "complex thoughts" is that of a noun phrase, where "complex" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "thoughts". As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used and accepted in written English. The examples show it functioning as the object of verbs or the subject of sentences, describing intricate mental processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Books

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complex thoughts" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe intricate and multifaceted mental processes. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread acceptance. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts where genuine intellectual depth is being conveyed and should be used judiciously to avoid sounding pretentious. Alternatives like "intricate ideas" or "complicated reflections" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations needing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intricate ideas

Focuses on the detailed and elaborate nature of the ideas themselves, rather than the thinking process.

complicated reflections

Emphasizes the act of reflecting deeply and the resulting complexity.

profound ideas

Highlights the depth and significance of the ideas.

deep thinking

Shifts the focus to the process of thinking rather than the thoughts themselves.

elaborate notions

Implies a detailed and carefully constructed set of ideas.

sophisticated concepts

Suggests a high level of intellectual refinement.

convoluted ideas

Indicates that the ideas are unnecessarily complicated and difficult to understand.

abstract concepts

Focuses on ideas that are not easily grounded in concrete reality.

nuanced perspectives

Emphasizes subtle differences in understanding or interpretation.

difficult thoughts

Highlights the challenge of processing the thoughts.

FAQs

How can I use "complex thoughts" in a sentence?

You can use "complex thoughts" to describe intricate mental processes or ideas. For example: "The novel explores the protagonist's "complex thoughts" about morality and justice."

What are some alternatives to "complex thoughts"?

Alternatives include "intricate ideas", "complicated reflections", or "profound ideas", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "complex thoughts"?

While grammatically correct, using "complex thoughts" to describe simple or easily understood ideas can be seen as pretentious or unnecessary. Make sure the situation requires such phrasing.

What is the difference between "complex thoughts" and "difficult thoughts"?

"Complex thoughts" refers to the multifaceted nature of the ideas, while "difficult thoughts" emphasizes the challenge in processing or understanding them. "Complex thoughts" might not always be difficult, and vice versa.