current of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"current of thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an idea or opinion that is widely accepted or shared by a group of people. For example, "The current of thought in the legal world is that a defendant's right to a fair trial is a fundamental principle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But in an era of rapid modernization, China has lacked anything like a broad current of thought about women's rights.

The New York Times

But the exhibition also shows that a strong current of thought welcomed this defeat as an opportunity.

The New York Times - Arts

And they can get the upper hand because it's a very strong current of thought and confronted with it reason can't do much.

The Guardian - Books

Humanitarianism, though a very distinguishable current of thought in the century, was closely related to the idea of a science of society.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Alberti's distinctive contribution to this current of thought took the form of a small treatise on geography, the first work of its kind since antiquity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although the positivist mood prevailed at least until World War I, it was contested by a rival current of thought that from the 1890s onward began to assert itself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The term includes several, heterogeneous currents of thought.

The Guardian

Two proximate encounters typified the currents of thought.

The New York Times

Each essayist will explore the dominant themes and currents of thought in a particular area of American life.

The New York Times - Books

Later, while attending Kyōto Imperial University, he worked with them on the literary magazine Shinshicho ("New Currents of Thought").

Encyclopedia Britannica

With the opening up of China, however, has come the opening of Xinjiang to currents of thought in the greater Islamic world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "current of thought" to describe a widely held or influential idea, especially when discussing historical or societal trends. It effectively conveys the sense of a prevailing intellectual climate.

Common error

Avoid using "current of thought" to describe a personal opinion or a niche idea. The phrase implies a broader, more collective understanding or belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "current of thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in describing prevailing ideas or intellectual trends.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "current of thought" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes a widely held idea or intellectual trend. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for describing prevailing opinions and influential ideas across various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific sources, indicating its use in objective discussions. To ensure accurate usage, remember that the phrase implies a broad and collective understanding, not a personal opinion. Alternatives like "prevailing idea" or "dominant viewpoint" can be used to add nuance. Remember not to confuse "current of thought" with the phrase "school of thought" as the latter has a more restricted use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevailing idea

Emphasizes the dominance or widespread acceptance of the idea.

dominant viewpoint

Highlights the controlling or most influential perspective on a topic.

intellectual trend

Focuses on the direction or movement of ideas within a specific field.

popular belief

Indicates a widely held conviction or opinion among a group of people.

general consensus

Stresses the agreement or collective understanding on a particular matter.

shared understanding

Highlights the common ground or mutual comprehension of a concept.

collective wisdom

Focuses on the accumulated knowledge and insights of a group.

prevailing sentiment

Highlights the widespread feeling or attitude towards something.

accepted wisdom

Emphasizes the status of the idea as being generally recognized as true or valid.

common perception

Focuses on how something is commonly viewed or interpreted.

FAQs

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

You can use "current of thought" to describe a prevailing idea or opinion. For instance, "The "current of thought" at the time favored isolationism".

What are some alternatives to "current of thought"?

Alternatives include "prevailing idea", "dominant viewpoint", or "intellectual trend", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "currents of thought" grammatically correct?

Yes, "currents of thought" is the plural form and is also grammatically correct. It is used when referring to multiple, often related, ideas or trends.

What is the difference between "current of thought" and "school of thought"?

"School of thought" refers to a specific group or movement with a shared set of beliefs, while ""current of thought"" describes a more general and widespread intellectual trend.