intellectual current

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intellectual current" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to the prevailing ideas, trends, or theories that are popular among intellectuals or educated individuals at a particular time. Example: The scientific community is currently caught up in an intellectual current of exploring alternative energy sources.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

For many, the events of 11 September signalled the death of postmodernism as an intellectual current.

The Guardian - Arts

Much, though not all, of Mr. Breivik's manifesto is inspired by a relatively new right-wing intellectual current often referred to as counterjihad.

The New York Times

He joined the political and intellectual current of writers, novelists and poets that came to be known as the Sixties Generation.

The New York Times

This German intellectual current culminated in philosophers such as Windelband, Rickert and Dilthey.

SEP

Each of the three components is the product of a distinct historical and intellectual current.

Johns Hopkins University

The term "Neo-Daoism" seeks to capture the dominant intellectual current or focal development in "early medieval" Chinese philosophy, from the third to the sixth century C.E.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Reynolds excels at depicting the cultural, social and intellectual currents that buffeted the nation.

The New York Times - Books

A fourth is a white convert, born in California, who bridges Eastern and Western intellectual currents.

The New York Times

Their writing showed an awareness of new intellectual currents, such as the theory of evolution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Several intellectual currents joined to make possible the writing of systematic and ambitious literary histories.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Comte's particular ability was as a synthesizer of the most diverse intellectual currents.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "intellectual current" to describe prevailing schools of thought in academic papers, providing context for your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "intellectual current" to describe your personal beliefs. Instead, reserve it for widely recognized and influential trends in thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intellectual current" functions primarily as a noun phrase, designating a prevailing or influential trend in thought, ideas, or theories. It acts as a subject or object, describing specific movements within academic, scientific, or cultural spheres, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intellectual current" is a grammatically correct and contextually appropriate term used to describe prevailing trends in thought and ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its function as a noun phrase used to categorize and analyze dominant streams of thought. It is most commonly found in academic, news, and scientific contexts, reflecting its formal and analytical nature. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a widely recognized trend and not a personal opinion. Consider related phrases like "current of ideas" or "dominant school of thought" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

current of ideas

Emphasizes the flow and movement of thoughts and concepts.

intellectual trend

Highlights the aspect of change and direction in intellectual pursuits.

dominant school of thought

Emphasizes the leading or most accepted perspective within a specific field.

leading intellectual tendency

Highlights the direction and inclination of intellectual pursuits, which can change.

prevailing ideology

Focuses more on the dominance and acceptance of a particular set of beliefs.

intellectual movement

Suggests a more organized and active shift in intellectual thought.

prevailing intellectual climate

Focuses on the overall atmosphere and conditions influencing intellectual activity.

ascendant intellectual paradigm

Refers to a model or framework of thought that is gaining prominence and influence.

accepted theory

Emphasizes that the intellectual content is not just 'fashionable' but accepted to explain certain phenomena.

fashionable thought

Imply the concept that certain ideas are widely used in a specific time frame because they are trendy.

FAQs

How can I use "intellectual current" in a sentence?

You can use "intellectual current" to describe a prevalent trend or school of thought, as in "The rise of artificial intelligence represents a significant "intellectual current" in modern science".

What's a good alternative to "intellectual current"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "dominant school of thought", "prevailing ideology", or "current of ideas".

Is "intellectual stream" the same as "intellectual current"?

While similar, "intellectual stream" often suggests a continuous flow or evolution of ideas, while "intellectual current" highlights a prevailing trend or influence at a specific time. Think of it as "intellectual stream" emphasizing the process and "intellectual current" emphasizing the state.

How does an "intellectual current" differ from a "fad"?

An "intellectual current" typically involves deeper analysis, evidence, and scholarly discourse, while a "fad" is a more superficial and often short-lived trend. An intellectual current is a long standing "fashionable thought".