good thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

"good thinking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express approval or encouragement for the thought process of someone else. For example, "I really like how you approached this problem. Good thinking!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't think about the sleepover if you don't feel good thinking about it.

WikiHow

Good thinking, readers.

The New York Times

Gove: Good thinking.

The Guardian

Good thinking, Fred.

The Guardian - Books

"Good thinking," I said.

The New Yorker

Can good thinking be taught?

Harvard University

No good thinking about it.

The Guardian

Good thinking, Mr Ed Balls.

The Guardian - Opinion

What are the ingredients of good thinking?

Harvard University

So, can "good thinking" be taught?

Harvard University

I can't get good thinking done.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing feedback, use "good thinking" to acknowledge the merits of an approach, even if it requires further refinement.

Common error

Avoid relying on "good thinking" as your only form of positive feedback. Diversify your responses with more specific and descriptive praise to enhance communication and recognition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "good thinking" is that of a noun phrase, where "good" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "thinking". This phrase is typically used as an interjection to express approval or acknowledgement of an idea or a line of reasoning, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

26%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "good thinking" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that functions as a noun phrase, expressing approval or acknowledgement of someone's idea or reasoning. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase follows standard grammar rules and is suitable for various contexts, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in news, media, and academic sources. While versatile, be mindful of overusing it and consider alternatives like "smart idea" or "clever idea" to add variety to your feedback. The phrase maintains a neutral tone, making it appropriate for both informal and professional settings, though it's generally more suited to less formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smart idea

Emphasizes the intelligence behind the idea.

clever idea

Highlights the ingenuity of the thought.

bright idea

Suggests a sudden and brilliant thought.

that's ingenious

Highlights the inventive nature of the thought.

that's astute

Highlights the insightfull nature of the thought.

excellent point

Focuses on the validity and relevance of the idea.

sound reasoning

Emphasizes the logical basis of the thought.

wise move

Suggests the thought leads to a smart action or decision.

sensible approach

Highlights the practicality and reasonability of the thought.

perceptive insight

Emphasizes the depth of understanding behind the thought.

FAQs

How can I use "good thinking" in a sentence?

You can use "good thinking" to express approval of someone's idea or approach. For example, "That's a creative solution, good thinking!"

What are some alternatives to saying "good thinking"?

You can use alternatives like "smart idea", "clever idea", or "excellent point" depending on the context.

Is "good thinking" formal or informal?

"Good thinking" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or less formal professional settings. In formal settings, more specific praise might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "good thinking" and "wise move"?

"Good thinking" acknowledges the quality of the idea itself, while "wise move" implies that the idea has led to a beneficial action or decision. The terms are often interchangeable, but not always.