flow of thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'flow of thoughts' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the stream of ideas that a person has running through their mind. For example, "I had a difficult time concentrating due to the constant flow of thoughts in my head."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 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

The artistic concept behind this representation refers to the ideation process as a flow of thoughts that literally evaporate from the artist's head.

Heritage Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

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

The Guardian - Books

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flow of thoughts" when describing a continuous, natural progression of ideas, especially in creative or introspective contexts. It is useful when characterizing thinking in a narrative or descriptive way.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in overly formal or technical writing where a more precise term like "cognitive process" might be more appropriate. Using it when describing precise analytical processes may be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flow of thoughts" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig shows its use across diverse sentences, highlighting its role in describing the way ideas and consciousness progress.

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 thoughts" is a common and acceptable way to describe the progression of ideas in one's mind. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While versatile, it is important to consider register and context; more formal settings may benefit from a precise alternative. Frequent in News & Media and scientific domains, its applicability spans various communication styles. Consider using related phrases like "train of thought" or "stream of consciousness" for nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ebb and flow of thought

Captures the fluctuating and changing nature of thoughts.

train of thought

Emphasizes the sequential progression of ideas.

current of thought

Uses a metaphor of flowing water to describe thought.

stream of consciousness

Focuses more on the continuous and unbroken nature of thought.

succession of thoughts

Highlights the order and sequence in which thoughts occur.

progression of ideas

Highlights the development and evolution of thoughts.

course of thinking

Suggests a directed or planned sequence of thoughts.

chain of ideas

Implies a logical connection between successive thoughts.

mental process

A more general term referring to any cognitive activity.

sequence of mental images

Focuses on the visual aspect of thought.

FAQs

How can I describe a disrupted "flow of thoughts"?

You could say your thoughts were scattered, interrupted, or that you had difficulty maintaining a "train of thought".

Is "flow of thoughts" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in highly formal or scientific contexts, consider more precise terms like "cognitive processes" or "mental sequence" depending on your specific meaning.

What is a good metaphor for "flow of thoughts"?

Common metaphors include a "stream of consciousness", a winding river, or a "chain of ideas".

How does mindfulness affect the "flow of thoughts"?

Mindfulness practices aim to observe the "flow of thoughts" without judgment, allowing for greater awareness and potentially reducing mental clutter.