governing thought

USAGE SUMMARY

'governing thought' is not correct and usable in written English.
Instead, you could use 'guiding thought' or 'motivating thought'. For example, "My motivating thought was that it would be beneficial to take a risk."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I'm not saying every action scene should be shot in long takes like a Béla Tarr film, but wouldn't it be great if film-makers could temper their jitterbug cutting with a modicum of governing thought, so we could see what's going on?

The Guardian - Film

But the generality and inherently formal character of pure general logic is fully consistent with its being objectively valid: hence the fact that thought by its very nature is object-directed does not by itself imply that the logic governing thought is ontically restricted or objectually-committed.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Over the past several decades, however, a burgeoning body of scientific evidence has indicated that an exogenous substance is less important to addiction than is the disease process that the substance triggers in the brain — a process that disrupts the brain's anatomical structure, chemical messaging system and other mechanisms responsible for governing thoughts and actions.

The New York Times

In contrast, the categories of Being-logic seem to govern thought processes that are restricted to qualitative phenomena and their co-ordinations.

SEP

That means that if we're looking for a youngster lost in a crowd, the brain areas usually dedicated to recognizing other objects such as animals, or even the areas governing abstract thought, shift their focus and join the search party.

University of California, Berkeley

But, more importantly, Lewis pointed out that maximalism was incompatible with what he took to be the master principle governing our thought about modality: Hume's denial of necessary connection between distinct existences.

SEP

Now Aristotle had recognized three different kinds of scientific principles: common axioms governing all thought, so well known that no one can deny them, and proper principles limited in range to a given science its definitions and postulates.

SEP

Confucianism advocates the use of moral principles and moral examples, arguing that law and punishment can only regulate overt behaviors, whereas moral persuasion can govern inner thought.

Frontiers of Business Research in China

For this abstract object to be realized in the world, on Lewis's view, is for a community to adopt it as a convention governing their thoughts and actions.

SEP

The Relativity of Learning: Almost everyone is familiar with Albert Einstein's game-changing theory of relativity -- an insight that, overnight, overturned an idea that had governed human thought for more than 200 years.

Huffington Post

The intonations of "Eeuw" and "I know, right?" govern their thought processes.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the influence of ideas, consider using alternatives such as "guiding principles" or "dominant thoughts" for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "governing thought" in formal or academic writing, as it may sound awkward. Opt for more established phrases like "guiding principle" or "prevailing idea".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "governing thought" functions as a noun phrase, where "governing" acts as a present participle modifying the noun "thought". However, Ludwig AI indicates it's not standard English, suggesting careful consideration of its use.

Expression frequency: Rare

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 "governing thought" refers to a thought that directs or controls something. However, Ludwig AI considers this phrase not quite correct for standard English. While it appears in diverse sources, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, its usage is infrequent, as Ludwig found a small number of examples. For improved clarity and impact, consider using alternatives like "guiding thought" or "dominant idea". When using the phrase be mindful of overuse, and consider if alternative options will increase quality and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guiding thought

Replaces "governing" with "guiding", suggesting a less forceful influence on thought.

leading thought

Suggests a thought that is directing or influencing a course of action or reasoning.

motivating thought

Substitutes "governing" with "motivating", indicating a thought that drives action or behavior.

controlling thought

Emphasizes the act of controlling one's thoughts, differing from a thought that governs.

ruling principle

Replaces "thought" with "principle" focusing on the rule rather than the process of thinking.

dominant thought

Focuses on the thought that has the most power or influence at a given time.

operative idea

Highlights the practical idea that is currently in effect or use.

prevailing thought

Highlights the most common or accepted thought within a specific context.

underlying principle

Shifts the focus to the fundamental rule or belief that shapes thinking.

driving force

Implies a stronger influence, suggesting something that propels or directs thought.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "governing thought"?

You can use alternatives like "guiding thought", "dominant idea", or "prevailing principle" depending on the context.

Is "governing thought" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "governing thought" is less common and may sound awkward in formal writing. Alternatives might be preferred for clarity.

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

Consider rephrasing to use alternatives like "guiding principle" or "dominant idea" for better clarity. For example, instead of "the governing thought behind the decision", try "the guiding principle behind the decision".

What is the difference between "governing thought" and "guiding principle"?

"Governing thought" implies a thought that controls or directs, while "guiding principle" suggests a fundamental rule or belief that influences decisions and actions. The latter is often clearer and more widely accepted.