flow of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"flow of thought" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the process of one's thoughts progressing and connecting from one to another. You can use this phrase in any situation where you want to describe the fluidity and coherence of one's thoughts. For example: - The flow of thought in her writing was captivating and kept the reader engaged. - As I tried to meditate, I struggled to maintain a steady flow of thought. - Our brainstorming session was hindered by the interruption of our colleague's erratic flow of thought. - The poet's intricate use of imagery and metaphors reflected the natural flow of thought in his mind.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Elsewhere, though, the free flow of thought is almost miraculously caught.

The Guardian - Books

Fyodorov was unable to sleep the next two nights because of a strong flow of thought.

The New Yorker

Facility in managing the flow of thought and emotion is a sign of happiness and good adjustment.

The New York Times - Magazine

Or maybe it's just that the flow of thought alters when we write, which, in turn, releases sentences hidden along the banks of consciousness.

The New York Times - Books

The last section contains 48 fictional sketches, often surreal, often from a woman's viewpoint, illustrating consciousness at work, the flow of thought ricocheting against reality's confusion.

The New York Times - Books

Full-time staff were recruited, and a corporate editorial feel emerged not imposed, as some believed, by Crowther, but a common flow of thought under his lead.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

We abbreviated a bit the exposition (for instance, we removed the six-points algorithm and the RDF fragment related to the output of the recommender system), but we maintained the discussion about the flow of thoughts leading from the naïve similarity score to the final one because we thought it helps in justifying some parameters available in the final formula.

F1000Research

Memoires also lets you organize previous journal entries in a "flow of thoughts" style.

The New York Times - Tech

He recorded the meeting with the comment in his diary "Couldn't quite get my flow of thoughts together.

The Guardian

The commandeering of the Game Boy unnerved her, as did the sudden appearance of students bearing blue tardy slips, the mid-lecture phone calls about field trip forms and all the other intrusions on her impassioned flow of thoughts about Greek tragedy.

The New York Times

This does not, however, interrupt the flow of thoughts or clarity of the presentation of the central concepts.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To create a clear and compelling narrative, ensure a logical "flow of thought" connecting each idea and argument.

Common error

While useful, relying too much on "flow of thought" can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider alternative phrases like "train of thought" or "course of reasoning" /s/course+of+reasoning for varied expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flow of thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes the manner in which ideas and thoughts connect and progress. Ludwig AI shows examples ranging from describing writing style to cognitive processes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flow of thought" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes the progression and connection of ideas. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news, science, and wiki contexts. To enhance writing, maintain a logical progression of ideas, while avoiding overuse by considering alternatives such as "train of thought" or "course of reasoning". The phrase is generally neutral in tone and serves to analyze and describe cognitive processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

train of thought

Focuses on a connected sequence of ideas.

stream of consciousness

Emphasizes the continuous, unfiltered nature of thinking.

thought process

General term for how thoughts are formed and connected.

course of reasoning

Highlights the logical progression of thinking.

chain of ideas

Stresses the interconnectedness of concepts.

progression of ideas

Highlights the orderly advancement of concepts.

mental process

Broader term referring to cognitive activity.

intellectual current

Implies a dynamic and active flow of thinking.

cognitive flux

Highlights the changing and dynamic nature of thinking.

mental continuum

Suggests an unbroken and ongoing sequence of thoughts.

FAQs

What does the phrase "flow of thought" mean?

The phrase "flow of thought" refers to the way thoughts connect and progress in a coherent and continuous manner. It describes the natural progression of ideas in one's mind.

How can I improve the "flow of thought" in my writing?

To improve the "flow of thought" in your writing, focus on creating clear transitions between ideas, organizing your points logically, and ensuring each sentence contributes to the overall coherence.

Are there any synonyms for "flow of thought"?

Yes, you can use synonyms like "train of thought" /s/train+of+thought, "stream of consciousness" /s/stream+of+consciousness, or "progression of ideas" /s/progression+of+ideas to convey a similar meaning.

In what contexts is "flow of thought" most commonly used?

"Flow of thought" is often used in discussions about psychology, writing, and creative processes, where the continuity and coherence of thinking are important.