generate thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

"generate thoughts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a variety of contexts, including when you want to encourage someone to come up with ideas or when you want to express the concept of thinking of something. For example, you could say: "Let's take some time to generate thoughts about how we can solve this problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"When I first got interested in these mind/body questions, I was astonished to find that no one had even begun to put forward a theory about exactly how neurons in the brain can generate thoughts," he says.

The Guardian

The victory had to generate thoughts of the 2004 W.N.B.A. playoffs, when the Liberty took Games 1 and 3 in the opening round and defeated the Shock, the 2003 champion.

The New York Times - Sports

The British and Belgian teams studied 23 patients classified as in a vegetative state and found that four were able to generate thoughts of tennis or their homes and create mind patterns that could be read by an fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scanner – although only one was asked specific questions.

The Guardian

The X Pixl by its name alone would generate thoughts of a camera-centric phone and it surely is.

TechCrunch

Frege viewed the meanings of predicates as 'unsaturated,' as somehow endowed with 'holes' that have to be filled by meanings of singular terms to generate thoughts.

SEP

More likely, Ben's desire will lie quietly "in the back of his mind" most of the time, and occasionally generate thoughts, feelings, and actions of the familiar sorts.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The conference boasts a series of educational seminars, food and beverage events, and leisure activities to generate thought-provoking conversation about the industry and build long-term relationships.

Cornell University

When making that call, they take into account an article's news value and the likelihood it will generate thought-provoking reactions — and the potential for comments that will guide reporters on other possible story ideas.

The New York Times

Somehow this three-pound lump of tissue generates thoughts and emotions, holds memories, creates movements, makes possible the creative acts peculiar to our species and gives rise to the mysterious sense of consciousness.

The New York Times

The ultimate aim, probably not reachable for decades, is to answer such fundamental questions as how the brain generates thoughts, dreams, memories, perception and consciousness — and to find ways to intervene and influence such brain activities.

The New York Times

The ultimate aim is to learn how the brain generates thoughts, dreams, memories, perceptions and other mental images; how it stores and retrieves vast quantities of data; and how it learns from experience or education.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generate thoughts" when you want to convey the idea of initiating or creating ideas, plans, or reflections. For example, in brainstorming sessions or creative writing exercises.

Common error

While "generate thoughts" is acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "formulate ideas" or "develop insights" in professional or academic writing to maintain a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generate thoughts" functions as a verb phrase where 'generate' is the main verb and 'thoughts' is the direct object. It describes the action of creating or producing ideas. This is supported by the Ludwig examples provided, indicating its active role in forming concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "generate thoughts" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies the creation or initiation of ideas. Ludwig AI affirms its usability in various contexts, ranging from initiating creative processes to problem-solving. While versatile, it is advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "formulate ideas" or "develop insights" in professional settings to maintain a higher level of formality. The phrase appears across multiple domains, including news, science, and academia, indicating its broad applicability. Top sources include The New York Times and The Guardian, reinforcing its credibility and frequent use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

produce ideas

Focuses more on the creation of ideas, rather than just initiating them.

spark thoughts

Implies a sudden and intense generation of thoughts.

stimulate ideas

Emphasizes the act of encouraging or arousing ideas.

foster thinking

Highlights the nurturing and development of a thought process.

encourage contemplation

Suggests promoting deeper, more reflective thoughts.

develop insights

Focuses on the growth of understanding and awareness.

ignite imagination

Emphasizes the inspirational aspect of producing thoughts.

inspire reflection

Suggests causing thoughtful consideration.

promote thinking

Focuses on the action of making something more likely to happen

cultivate understanding

Focuses on developing comprehension through careful effort

FAQs

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

You can use "generate thoughts" to describe the process of creating ideas. For example, "The purpose of this exercise is to "generate thoughts" about potential solutions."

What are some alternatives to "generate thoughts"?

Alternatives include "produce ideas", "stimulate ideas", or "foster thinking" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "generate thoughts" or "develop thoughts"?

"Generate thoughts" implies the initial creation of ideas, while "develop thoughts" suggests expanding or refining existing ideas. The best choice depends on the context.

What is the difference between "generate thoughts" and "trigger thoughts"?

"Generate thoughts" refers to actively creating ideas. "Trigger thoughts" means to cause ideas to arise, often passively. The nuance changes the degree of active intention.