generate a thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generate a thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of creating or formulating an idea or concept. Example: "In our brainstorming session, we aim to generate a thought that can lead to innovative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To send thoughts, you must generate a thought, and feel it exit your mind and enter the other person's head.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When an able-bodied person moves, the brain generates a thought or command in the form of electrical impulses.

MIT Technology Review

Trade show booths and participation can often cost more but also offer an opportunity to engage with people face to face and learn from others while generating a thought leadership position.

Forbes

If you generate a powerful thought and let it out, it will always manifest itself.

Huffington Post

Jim sees several Outdoor Systems Inc. billboards and transit buses bearing ads that hardly generate a second thought, although he can't help but notice a few scantily clad models.

Los Angeles Times

Did something that was said generate a new thought or topic in your mind?

WikiHow

I invite you to compile your own list, and if you feel comfortable, maybe you would like to share it so that we can generate a discussion on Elizabeth Gilbert's thought-provoking question.

Huffington Post

If you change your mindset, you can find evidence that supports a new set of thoughts about something, and generate a new way of feeling about it, too.

Huffington Post

Though its story is unlikely to generate a hit play or hold audiences, it has, he said, helped generate a few thoughts here and there.

The New York Times

Moreover, external cues or internal thought processes generate an anticipation of aversive body states that sets up a body prediction error, i.e., the difference between the current and anticipated body state.

Brain Structure and Function

Concept-possessors can generate an indefinite number of new thoughts from the concepts they possess and their thoughts obey what Evans (1982) has termed the generality constraint.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generate a thought" when you want to emphasize the active creation or production of an idea, often spontaneously or as a result of a specific stimulus.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "generate a thought" excessively in very formal or academic writing might sound slightly less sophisticated. Consider alternatives like "formulate an idea" or "develop a concept" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generate a thought" functions as a verb phrase where "generate" is the main verb, and "a thought" is the direct object. It describes the action of creating or producing a thought. As Ludwig AI points out, this construction is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "generate a thought" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing the creation of an idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, though it appears more frequently in News & Media and Science sources. While "generate a thought" effectively conveys the act of creating an idea, more formal alternatives like "formulate an idea" or "develop a concept" may be preferred in certain academic or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formulate a thought

Emphasizes a more structured and deliberate process of creating a thought.

produce a thought

Focuses on the act of bringing a thought into existence.

conceive a thought

Suggests a more imaginative and creative process of creating a thought.

develop a thought

Indicates a gradual and progressive formation of a thought.

spark a thought

Implies that something triggers the creation of a thought.

initiate a thought

Focuses on starting or setting off a thought process.

evoke a thought

Suggests that something external brings a thought to mind.

imagine a thought

Emphasizes the role of imagination in creating a thought.

contemplate a thought

Suggests a deep and prolonged consideration of a thought.

entertain a thought

Implies considering a thought, often in a light or speculative way.

FAQs

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

You can use "generate a thought" to describe the process of creating an idea, like in the example, "To send thoughts, you must "generate a thought", and feel it exit your mind and enter the other person's head."

What does "generate a thought" mean?

The phrase "generate a thought" means to create or produce a new idea or concept in your mind.

What can I say instead of "generate a thought"?

You can use alternatives like "formulate a thought", "produce a thought", or "conceive an idea" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "generate a thought" or "have a thought"?

While both are correct, "generate a thought" emphasizes the creation or origination of the idea, while "have a thought" simply indicates the presence of an idea in your mind. The best choice depends on the specific context.