individual thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

"individual thoughts" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person's ideas and opinions that are distinct from those of other people. For example: "I like to keep my individual thoughts to myself and not share them with anyone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Mostly we went outdoors-into the streets, into the parks, down to the riverbanks-just in order to be with one another; and we thought individual thoughts (thankful ones, very likely); and we felt good.

The New Yorker

Maybe we simply join the ethereal mist, the primordial soup of spiritual beings come back together in one heavenly mass: no possessions, no fears, no individual thoughts - no individuality - and absolutely no physical attributes or characteristics.

HuffPost

In other words, just as the local movements of matter individuate thought extrinsically giving the mind individual thoughts, the thought of immaterial substance individuates matter extrinsically thereby giving it individual bodies.

SEP

"Everybody needs to put individual thoughts behind them," Smith said.

The New York Times - Sports

I am particularly concerned that individual thoughts and opinions risk being lost in the fray.

Columbia University

Technology acts to legitimize individual thoughts, breaking the divide between private and public realms.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

According to Frege's distinction between sense and reference, what matters to the identity of a thought about a concrete individual is not the individual thought about but the abstract sense by means of which he is thought about.

SEP

The education literature suggests that instruction include a variety of activities designed to stimulate individual thought.

Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America

She discovered that for her, "collective thought is always better than individual thought".

The New York Times - Arts

Opposing him is Henry Drummond, a wily Chicagoan who believes in the right to individual thought.

The Guardian

Each name is enclosed in an individual thought balloon, and these link up into thick webs of data.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, use "individual thoughts" to explicitly differentiate personal opinions from group consensus or widely accepted ideas. For instance, in collaborative projects, acknowledge both shared goals and "individual thoughts".

Common error

Avoid using "individual thoughts" when referring to universal concepts or widely shared beliefs. Instead, reserve it for situations where specific personal perspectives are relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "individual thoughts" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples demonstrate its use in expressing personal ideas and opinions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "individual thoughts" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the idea of personal opinions and perspectives. Its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science, with a predominantly neutral register. When using this phrase, it's best to emphasize the distinction from group consensus and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "personal reflections" or "own opinions" can be considered for contextual variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personal reflections

Focuses on introspective and private thoughts.

private musings

Emphasizes the contemplative and internal nature of thoughts.

own opinions

Highlights individual perspectives and beliefs.

unique viewpoints

Stresses the distinct and original nature of personal perspectives.

original ideas

Focuses on the novelty and creativity of thoughts.

personal beliefs

Highlights the connection between thoughts and convictions.

subjective impressions

Emphasizes the personal and biased nature of thoughts.

distinct perspectives

Highlights the unique and different nature of personal views.

inner thoughts

Emphasizes the internal and private nature of thinking.

independent thinking

Focuses on thoughts that are not influenced by others.

FAQs

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

You can use "individual thoughts" to emphasize personal perspectives. For instance, "It's important to consider both collective opinions and "individual thoughts" when making decisions."

What's a good alternative to "individual thoughts"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives such as "personal reflections", "own opinions", or "unique viewpoints".

Is it better to say "individual thoughts" or "personal thoughts"?

Both "individual thoughts" and "personal thoughts" are correct, but "individual thoughts" emphasizes the distinction from others, while "personal thoughts" focuses on the private nature of the thinking.

In what situations should I avoid using "individual thoughts"?

Avoid using "individual thoughts" when referring to widely accepted facts or when discussing group consensus. It is more appropriate when highlighting personal opinions or beliefs that may differ from the norm.