ill thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

"ill thoughts" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe thoughts or ideas that are morally wrong or harmful, or in general, to describe one's pessimistic outlook. Example sentence: Whenever I'm feeling down, I try to avoid dwelling on ill thoughts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

All of which is to say that the humble economy class airplane seat, subject of ill thoughts when it is thought about at all, was primed to receive more attention even even before American's 757 troubles began because a lot of thinking goes into where we put our seats.

Huffington Post

But by muting Hopkins with their silence, they become the true bigots, the people who think they can weed out the ill thoughts of our society by quite literally turning a blind eye.

Independent

When these are exhibited in a reasonable degree and without ill thoughts about others and hostile actions towards them, that is patriotism; when they become unbridled and cause one to think ill of others and act badly towards them, that is nationalism.

SEP

Following his release, Leigh's family stated they harboured "no ill thoughts" towards Webster and wished him well in the "re-establishment of his life".

Wikipedia

The next morning, on Passover Eve, we burn the pieces of hametz we have collected, and declare that our home, meaning our heart, is free of any ill thoughts about others.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The ill thought-out ticketing programme, for example.

The Guardian - Sport

Too often the complicated is misread as being ill thought-through.

The Guardian

"Mr Blatter, your comments about racism are ill thought, and condescending in the extreme.

The Guardian - Sport

My main impression is that the plan seems breathless, rushed and ill thought-out.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ill thought-out logistical planning for the royal visit, especially in Dublin, makes that scenario all the more possible.

The Guardian

The Republican minority leader, Peter J. Schmitt, described Mr. Suozzi's layoff proposal as "clumsy and ill thought out".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "ill thoughts" is often used in discussions of morality, ethics, or mental well-being.

Common error

Avoid using "ill thoughts" when simply describing a sad or disappointing situation. Reserve it for situations involving malice, harm, or ethical concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill thoughts" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and can be used to describe thoughts that are morally wrong or harmful. The examples provided by Ludwig show its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ill thoughts" is grammatically correct and usable in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Although rare, its primary function is to describe negative, harmful, or morally wrong thoughts. It appears most frequently in news and media and science contexts, and less so in more formal settings. When writing, remember that while similar to phrases like "negative thoughts", "ill thoughts" carries a stronger connotation of potential harm. When wanting to express more negative thoughts or ideas, synonyms like "negative thoughts", "malicious thoughts", and "unwholesome thoughts" can also be used depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negative thoughts

Focuses on the negativity aspect, removing the implication of malice.

malicious thoughts

Emphasizes the malicious intent behind the thoughts.

unwholesome thoughts

Indicates thoughts that are not morally or spiritually healthy.

dark thoughts

Highlights the gloomy and ominous nature of the thoughts.

evil thoughts

Signifies thoughts that are inherently wicked and immoral.

bad intentions

Shifts the focus from the thoughts themselves to the planned actions.

pessimistic outlook

Refers to a general tendency to expect negative outcomes.

morbid thoughts

Implies a preoccupation with death or unpleasant subjects.

cynical views

Highlights a distrustful and negative perspective on the world.

harmful ideas

Emphasizes the potential for negative consequences from the thoughts.

FAQs

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

You can use "ill thoughts" to describe negative, harmful, or morally wrong thoughts. For example, "He tried to suppress the "ill thoughts" that plagued his mind."

What are some synonyms for "ill thoughts"?

Alternatives include "negative thoughts", "malicious thoughts", or "unwholesome thoughts", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I have ill thoughts"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It implies that you are experiencing negative or harmful thoughts. A more common phrasing might be "I'm struggling with "ill thoughts"" or "I'm having "ill thoughts"."

What's the difference between "ill thoughts" and "bad thoughts"?

"Ill thoughts" often carry a stronger connotation of moral wrongness or potential for harm, whereas "bad thoughts" can refer to any unpleasant or unwanted thoughts. The degree of negativity might be different.