fostering thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fostering thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of encouraging or promoting thinking and reflection. Example: "The workshop aims at fostering thought among participants to inspire innovative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Watch The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030 UNICEF and its partners marked the day with a moderated forum fostering thought, discussion, and action, followed by an afternoon of exhibition events and an interactive showcase highlighting examples of good practice.

Unicef

The most convoluted philosophical thinking outside of academe was taking place recently at the Global Spa Summit at the Waldorf-Astoria, with the purpose of fostering "thought leadership" in the forty-billion-dollar-a-year spa industry.

The New Yorker

By Lillian Ross The most convoluted philosophical thinking outside of academe was taking place recently at the Global Spa Summit at the Waldorf-Astoria, with the purpose of fostering "thought leadership" in the forty-billion-dollar-a-year spa industry.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

So we're back to that fostering trust idea.

TechCrunch

As well as fostering independent thinking, the U.S. education system encourages creativity and individual initiative.

Science Magazine

I thought bad thoughts.

BMC Palliative Care

Have you thought about building a family through fostering or adoption?

Huffington Post

The social networking behemoth that has turned our most casual encounters and passing thoughts into broadcasts of the highest import is also in the business of fostering friendships (old and nonexistent) with a little something called "People You May Know".

Huffington Post

"He is fostering trust in Italy".

The New York Times

"They are about fostering discipline and efficiency".

The New York Times

"Is fostering empathy with other people's feelings valuable?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fostering thought", ensure the context clearly indicates what actions or environments are contributing to this process. For example, specify "fostering thought through collaborative discussions".

Common error

Avoid using "fostering thought" in overly general contexts without specifying the means of fostering or the specific type of thought being encouraged. Instead of "The program is fostering thought", try "The program is fostering critical thought through debate and analysis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fostering thought" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. It typically describes the action of encouraging or promoting thinking. Ludwig's examples show it used in contexts of stimulating discussion and leadership.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science & Research

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fostering thought" is a grammatically sound gerund phrase used to describe the act of encouraging or promoting intellectual activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively infrequent, it finds application across formal business, news media, and scientific contexts. To maximize clarity, it is best employed with specific indication of how thought is being fostered. Alternatives include "cultivating thought" and "encouraging reflection". The phrase has a neutral register and is appropriate for educated audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivating thought

This alternative emphasizes the process of nurturing and developing thought over time.

encouraging reflection

This phrase focuses on stimulating reflective thinking and contemplation.

promoting contemplation

Similar to encouraging reflection, this highlights the act of deep thinking.

sparking ideas

This suggests initiating or triggering new thoughts and concepts.

stimulating intellect

This emphasizes the activation and invigoration of intellectual capacity.

inspiring thought

This highlights the role of inspiration in promoting thinking.

nurturing intellect

Emphasizes care and development of intellectual capacity.

developing ideas

Focuses on the process of expanding and refining thoughts.

advancing thought

Suggests moving thinking forward or promoting progress in thought.

feeding the mind

This is a more metaphorical way of describing stimulating thought.

FAQs

How can I use "fostering thought" in a sentence?

You can use "fostering thought" to describe actions or environments that encourage thinking. For example: "The workshop aims at "fostering thought" among participants to inspire innovative solutions", or "Open discussions are crucial for "fostering thought" in the classroom".

What can I say instead of "fostering thought"?

You can use alternatives like "cultivating thought", "encouraging reflection", or "promoting contemplation" depending on the context.

Is "fostering thought" formal or informal?

"Fostering thought" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. While not overly technical, it carries a level of sophistication appropriate for educated audiences.

What is the difference between "fostering thought" and "generating ideas"?

"Fostering thought" implies creating an environment or conditions that encourage thinking and reflection, potentially leading to a variety of outcomes. "Generating ideas", on the other hand, specifically refers to the production of new concepts or solutions. The former is broader, while the latter is more targeted.