grain of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"grain of thought" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom to describe a small, but significant, idea or concept. For example, "He had a valuable grain of thought that could help the company move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Banville seems to mistake this for mere elongation; the grain of his thought and his prose are too coarse to make his attempt credible.

The New Yorker

"They went against the grain of common thought that it would be wasteful for women to go to school," says Maria Protti '79, longtime board member and former programs, events and prizes chair for the Prytanean Women's Honor Society.

University of California, Berkeley

Sometimes in life, even if you go against the grain of conventional thought, you can still be successful if you find the right niche.

Huffington Post

Gersonides' philosophical ideas went against the grain of traditional Jewish thought; he also challenged scholastic thought.

SEP

But it goes against the nominalist grain of Leśniewski's thought to reify all the different potential ways an expression could mean as if these were additional objects.

SEP

The teachings of the Buddha challenged the prevailing views about the nature of existence and the way to overcome suffering, going against the grain of cherished cultural traditions of thought and practice.

Columbia University

The Democrats can't boast a single statewide office-holder.In this section Look who's listening Hands off An easy choice for Mr Romney Out of the mouths of babes A grain of sand for your thoughts Reprints Related items Degrees of separationJul 14th 2005Yet as in Washington, the Republican machine is sputtering.

The Economist

Meanwhile, the Democrats are struggling to present a united front.In this section Look who's listening Hands off An easy choice for Mr Romney Out of the mouths of babes A grain of sand for your thoughts Reprints Related items Iraq's election: And now for unity?

The Economist

There is a grain of truth in this disquieting thought.

The New York Times

She focused every grain of her being on banishing thoughts of measuring up and let her role take over.

The New York Times

One line of thought attributes the accusers' visions and fits to ergot poisoning (caused by a grain fungus).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grain of thought" when you want to emphasize that even a small or seemingly insignificant idea can be valuable or lead to significant developments. It's often used to suggest potential or underlying importance.

Common error

Avoid using "grain of thought" to describe fully developed or complex ideas. It's best reserved for nascent, initial concepts that hold promise but haven't been fully explored.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grain of thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a small but potentially important idea, insight, or consideration. Due to the absence of direct examples, the analysis relies on the general understanding of the phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grain of thought" is a grammatically sound idiomatic phrase used to describe a small but potentially significant idea. While Ludwig shows no direct examples, the general understanding of the phrase in English confirms its validity and meaning. It is generally suitable for various contexts, though the frequency is currently missing due to the lack of direct examples. Remember to use it when highlighting the underlying value of initial concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kernel of an idea

Focuses on the origin or core of an idea, like a seed.

a spark of insight

Emphasizes the sudden and illuminating nature of the idea.

element of consideration

Highlights the aspect of something to be pondered or taken into account.

flicker of understanding

Suggests a brief or incomplete comprehension.

trace of an idea

Indicates a faint or subtle presence of an idea.

nuance of thought

Highlights a subtle difference or distinction in thinking.

seed of contemplation

Implies something that inspires deeper reflection.

iota of wisdom

Emphasizes the small but valuable amount of understanding.

hint of an idea

Suggests an indirect or subtle suggestion.

smallest bit of knowledge

Underscores the minimal quantity of information involved.

FAQs

How can I use "grain of thought" in a sentence?

You can use "grain of thought" to indicate a small but significant idea. For example, "His initial hesitation provided a crucial "grain of thought" that changed the course of the project."

What's a good substitute for "grain of thought"?

Alternatives include "kernel of an idea", "spark of insight", or "element of consideration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "grains of thought"?

While less common, "grains of thought" can be used to refer to multiple small ideas or considerations. The singular "grain of thought" emphasizes a single, pivotal idea, while the plural suggests a collection of minor thoughts.

When should I use "grain of truth" versus "grain of thought"?

"Grain of truth" refers to a small element of truth within something largely untrue, while "grain of thought" refers to a small but potentially significant idea. They address different aspects: factual accuracy versus conceptual significance.