essence of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essence of thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the fundamental nature or core principles of thinking or cognition. Example: "Philosophers have long debated the essence of thought, seeking to understand what it truly means to think."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If mind is thinking substance and thoughts are essentially conscious, perhaps consciousness is the essence of thought?

SEP

It has only recently been reconstructed and systematically researched in the light of the medieval discussion of the essence of thought (cf. Iremadze, Konzeptionen, pp. 161 241).

SEP

If perception (intellection, representation) is the essence of thought, then all thoughts might be conscious in a basic way because the character of the intellectual substance is to represent, and any representation present in an intellectual substance is thereby conscious.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

When I explained that my assignment was to capture the essence of his thought, the Vice-President laughed self-deprecatingly.

The New Yorker

To enjoy & exhaust life was always contrary to the essence of revolutionary thought and procedure, which in principle, concentrated on the future.

The New Yorker

This handsomely designed volume makes a case for the diagrams, sketches, drawings and engravings spanning 32,000 years that "are the essence of abstract thought," he writes, "representing fundamentally what it means to be human".

The New York Times - Books

Liberty, individuality and imagination were the essence of his thought, and now that Mill's liberalism seems to have finally run its course, Reeves spells out its implications with exemplary lucidity, thoroughness and brio.

The Guardian - Books

Not only did Crete instill a concern for society in her son that became the essence of his thought, but he was greatly influenced by her elegantly clear writing style.

Los Angeles Times

When access to digital computers became possible in the middle fifties, a few scientists instinctively recognized that a machine that could manipulate numbers could also manipulate symbols and that the manipulation of symbols could well be the essence of human thought.

Wikipedia

Busoni's piano works include an immense concerto with choral finale; six sonatinas, which contain the essence of his musical thought; and the great Fantasia Contrappuntistica on an unfinished fugue by Bach (two versions, 1910; one version, 1912; fourth version for two pianos, 1922), which sums up his lifelong experience of Bach's music.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Aczel is very good at portraying the essences of the thoughts and lives of that quirky class of geniuses known as mathematicians, and he goes back not just to Zeno but to such other fascinating pioneers of number theory as Pythagoras and Eudoxus to do so.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone's personal philosophy or creative work consider using “essence of his thought” to emphasize their unique ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "essence of thought" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "main idea" or "point" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essence of thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to the underlying nature or core characteristic of the act of thinking. As Ludwig AI exemplifies, it's often used in philosophical or analytical contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essence of thought" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that refers to the fundamental nature or core characteristics of thinking. Ludwig AI shows that it's most commonly used in formal contexts such as science, news, and encyclopedias. While grammatically correct, it's best reserved for analytical or philosophical discussions and avoided in casual conversation where simpler alternatives suffice. The phrase's related terms include "core of thinking" and "fundamental nature of thought", as well as it's best practice to deploy “essence of his thought” to emphasize the author’s unique ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core of thinking

Replaces "thought" with its gerund form "thinking", emphasizing the process rather than the abstract concept.

heart of thought

Uses a different metaphor ("heart" instead of "essence") to convey the central point.

fundamental nature of thought

Replaces "essence" with "fundamental nature", providing a more descriptive alternative.

essential nature of thinking

Combines "essential nature" with the gerund form of "think", shifting the focus slightly.

basis of thought

Focuses on the foundation or groundwork upon which thought is built.

underlying principle of thought

Highlights the guiding principle that shapes thought processes.

gist of the idea

Moves from thought in general to a specific idea and captures its core meaning

crux of the matter

Highlights the decisive point, while retaining semantic alignment with the essence of the subject matter under consideration

driving force behind thought

Shifts the focus to the impetus or motivation behind thinking.

reasoning behind thought

Explores the logical arguments that justify and reinforce thought.

FAQs

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

You can use "essence of thought" to discuss the fundamental nature or core principles of thinking. For example, "Philosophers have long debated the "essence of thought", seeking to understand what it truly means to think".

What phrases are similar to "essence of thought"?

Similar phrases include "core of thinking", "heart of thought", or "fundamental nature of thought".

Is "essence of thought" a formal or informal expression?

"Essence of thought" leans towards a more formal register. In informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "main idea" or "point".

What is the difference between "essence of thought" and "content of thought"?

"Essence of thought" refers to the fundamental nature of thinking, while "content of thought" refers to the specific ideas, beliefs, or information that one is thinking about.