hidden thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hidden thoughts" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to thoughts that are not openly expressed or are concealed from others. Example: She often pondered her hidden thoughts during quiet moments alone. Alternative expressions include "concealed thoughts" and "unspoken thoughts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Everyone lives a life of hidden thoughts.

The Guardian - Books

To uncover people's hidden thoughts about the products they use, ZMET relies on visual images.

The New York Times - Arts

Techniques new to the modern theatre included spoken asides or soliloquies to express the characters' hidden thoughts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Duveen was adept at following the nuances of his clients' moods, reaching out antennae to probe their hidden thoughts.

The New Yorker

Morahan and Martin play this scene exceptionally well; they keep opening their characters' interior drawers and rifling through their undergarments and hidden thoughts.

The New Yorker

And it is these hidden thoughts – rather than the views measured in opinion polls – that may hold the secret to deepening public engagement with climate change and sustainability.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But then, can someone in, say, Boston, "pouring sweet maple syrup over sizzling bacon" understand "from such ambiguous sentences how deformed the thoughts and actions of someone can become who for years has used their mother tongue for hiding thoughts rather than for expressing them?" he asked.

The New York Times - Books

Perhaps most alarmingly, the survey found that men are significantly more likely to hide thoughts of suicide -- a worrying statistic given that the highest rate of suicide in the U.S. occurs in middle-aged men.

Huffington Post

People tend to hide thoughts and feelings from each other without any bad intentions, but everyone warms up to someone who is totally honest without being awkward or weird.

WikiHow

His descendant and biographer the Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, asserted that the conditions at Ashe "might well have aroused in his mind two prevailing impressions: first a hatred of poverty... and secondly the need of hiding thoughts and feelings from those to whom their expression would be repugnant".

Wikipedia

Murray mostly prefers to keep his innermost thoughts hidden from public view but even he must be starting to pinch himself.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "hidden thoughts", consider the context carefully. Ensure that the surrounding text provides enough information about why the thoughts are hidden and who they are hidden from to create a clearer mental picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "hidden thoughts" as a descriptor. Instead, provide specific details about the nature of these thoughts, their impact on the character or situation, and the reasons for their concealment to provide a deeper and more engaging narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hidden thoughts" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes thoughts that are not openly expressed or easily perceived. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing internal states and motivations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hidden thoughts" serves as a noun phrase denoting thoughts that remain unexpressed or concealed. Ludwig AI categorizes its grammatical status as correct and its frequency as uncommon. Predominantly featured in News & Media and Encyclopedias, its purpose is to reveal unspoken mental processes. Ludwig's analysis indicates that using alternative phrases like "secret thoughts" or "unspoken thoughts" can add nuance, while providing contextual details enhances clarity. In essence, "hidden thoughts" unveils the intriguing world of unspoken reflections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpressed thoughts

Emphasizes the lack of outward expression of the thoughts.

secret thoughts

Highlights the confidential or private nature of the thoughts.

private thoughts

Focuses on the personal and non-public aspect of the thoughts.

inner thoughts

Emphasizes the thoughts originating from within the mind.

unspoken thoughts

Similar to unexpressed, but highlights the lack of verbalization.

concealed thoughts

Stresses the act of deliberately keeping the thoughts hidden.

latent thoughts

Implies that the thoughts exist but are not currently active or apparent.

subconscious thoughts

Refers to thoughts that are below the level of conscious awareness.

unacknowledged thoughts

Highlights thoughts that one might not even admit to oneself.

repressed thoughts

Suggests thoughts that have been actively pushed out of conscious awareness.

FAQs

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

You can use "hidden thoughts" to describe thoughts that are not openly expressed or are deliberately concealed. For example: "Everyone lives a life of "hidden thoughts"."

What are some alternatives to "hidden thoughts"?

Some alternatives include "secret thoughts", "unspoken thoughts", or "private thoughts", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "hidden thoughts" or "withheld thoughts"?

"Hidden thoughts" generally implies thoughts that are not readily apparent or known, while "withheld thoughts" suggests a deliberate act of keeping thoughts back or unsaid. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "hidden thoughts" and "unconscious thoughts"?

"Hidden thoughts" are consciously concealed, whereas "unconscious thoughts" are those that are not readily accessible to conscious awareness.