development of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"development of thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it any time you're discussing the progress of someone's (or something's) ideas or mental process, such as in the following example sentence: I found it quite remarkable how quickly Pat's development of thought changed after learning about the history of his family.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He was also influenced by the general trend that the development of thought took toward Romanticism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During this period he completed Genetic Logic, 3 vol. (1906 11), which examined the nature and development of thought and meaning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I've been wanting to read it for years, because it's supposed to be a beautiful book that brings history alive -- the history of a certain kind of development of thought through Europe and America.

The New York Times - Books

While the author concedes that the volume contains repetitions because of its organization, on the whole this collection registers a "development of thought" whose origins go back to Honord's work with Herbert Hart in the 1950s.

Columbia University

In the psychology of perception, for example, rationalism is in a sense opposed to the genetic psychology of the Swiss scholar Jean Piaget (1896 1980), who, exploring the development of thought and behaviour in the infant, argued that the categories of the mind develop only through the infant's experience in concourse with the world.

Britannica

First, we describe the development of thought about diversity through the 20th century and through more modern studies including genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and next-generation sequencing.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Opening the door to the development of thought-controlled prosthetic devices to help people with spinal cord injuries, amputations and other impairments, neuroscientists at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Champalimaud Center for the Unknown in Portugal have demonstrated that the brain is more flexible and trainable than previously thought.

University of California, Berkeley

The development of thoughts should go hand in hand with the development of feelings and heart.

WikiHow

Focus is on the big three British Empiricists and their developments of thought based on the foundational role that they give to sensory perception or experience as the source of knowledge.

Stanford University

McGrath's first interest is not in Lewis's life, but in the shape and development of his thought – specifically, his religious thought.

The Guardian - Books

For Whewell, discovery comprised all three elements: the happy thought, the articulation and development of that thought, and the testing or verification of it.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the history of an idea, use "development of thought" to illustrate how it has changed and evolved over time.

Common error

Avoid attributing the "development of thought" solely to individual brilliance. Recognize the influence of social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "development of thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the process of how thinking evolves or progresses. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase appears in various academic and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "development of thought" is a grammatically sound noun phrase widely used to describe the evolution and progression of ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility in academic, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. It's most effective when discussing the historical progression of concepts, but avoid attributing such development solely to individuals, recognizing the impact of broader influences. Alternatives include "evolution of thinking" and "progression of ideas" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolution of thinking

Focuses specifically on the evolutionary aspect of thought processes.

progression of ideas

Highlights the sequential advancement of concepts.

advancement of understanding

Emphasizes the improvement in comprehension over time.

growth of intellect

Refers to the expansion of mental capacity and knowledge.

maturation of reasoning

Suggests a refinement and improvement in the ability to think logically.

unfolding of insights

Implies a gradual revelation and understanding of complex ideas.

emergence of concepts

Focuses on the initial appearance and formation of new ideas.

transformation of beliefs

Highlights the change and alteration in held convictions.

cultivation of wisdom

Emphasizes the active nurturing and development of profound understanding.

refinement of perspectives

Indicates a process of improving and clarifying viewpoints.

FAQs

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

You can use "development of thought" to discuss the evolution of ideas. For example: "The book traces the "development of thought" in Western philosophy."

What's a good alternative to "development of thought"?

Alternatives include "evolution of thinking", "progression of ideas", or "advancement of understanding", depending on the specific context.

Is "development of thought" formal or informal?

"Development of thought" is suitable for both formal and academic contexts, as well as less formal discussions about intellectual growth.

What factors influence the "development of thought"?

Various factors can influence the "development of thought", including education, cultural background, personal experiences, and exposure to new ideas.