intensity of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intensity of thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the depth or strength of someone's thinking or mental focus on a particular subject. Example: "The intensity of thought required for this philosophical debate was evident in the participants' expressions and body language."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But Dostoyevsky, with his hallucinatory prose and dark intensity of thought, was even more ill-served by the Lookingglass production, adapted and directed by Heidi Stillman.

The New York Times

Temple's attitudes seem similar to this: she is very aware (if only intellectually, inferentially) of what she is missing in life, but equally (and directly) aware of her strengths—her concentration, her intensity of thought, her single-mindedness, her tenacity; her incapacity for dissembling, her honesty, her directness.

The New Yorker

Temple's attitudes seem similar to this: she is very aware (if only intellectually, inferentially) of what she is missing in life, but equally (and directly) aware of her strengths — her concentration, her intensity of thought, her single-mindedness, her tenacity; her incapacity for dissembling, her honesty, her directness.

The New Yorker

I've begun to do that countless times a day when my mind turns to numbing agents -- persons, places, and things that inspire intensity of thought or emotion, that physiologically give me that dopamine boost for a minute just as my shot of vodka would or a long inhale of weed or an extra-long puff on a Marlboro.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Here, we use "arousal" in its broadest sense, sometimes described as "the intensity dimension of thought" (Just & Carpenter, 1993).

Current Directions in Psychological Science

"When [schizophrenic patients] are alone with their delusional thoughts, these thoughts are often cultivated, ultimately resulting in reality distortion and a magnification of the intensity of the thought disorder," he wrote in a 2013 affidavit.

The Guardian

To capture the intensity of the thought when the mind was wandering, the participant filled in a Likert-type scale (0-10) for each thought, answering the question: "How much did the thought disrupt/distract you?" We then dichotomised the score (slightly disrupting/distracting 0-4 v highly disrupting/distracting 5-10).

British Medical Journal

Yet Inception is without a shred of the actual strangeness, fluidity and intensity of sleeping thought.

Independent

As with so much popular science, "Proof" wants to tickle us by glamorizing the intensity of mathematical thought, with its notoriously short burn and other risks, but doesn't dare to frighten or offend the customers by actually showing them, however briefly, what such thinking might look like.

The New Yorker

Even the duration of an event or object in space or time is determined by the intensity of the thoughts or emotions that gave it birth.

Huffington Post

In direct relation to a traumatizing event, possibly the frequency and intensity of intrusive thoughts can serve as a measure of the quality of life.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's mental state in fiction, use "intensity of thought" to convey a strong focus or deep contemplation on a particular subject. For example: "The detective was known for the intensity of thought he brought to each case, often spending hours analyzing every detail."

Common error

Avoid using "intensity of thought" when describing simple or fleeting thoughts. It is best suited for situations involving deep analysis, significant mental effort, or profound reflection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intensity of thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase, describing the degree or strength of mental activity. Ludwig provides examples where it modifies actions or characteristics, highlighting the depth or focus involved in thinking. Ludwig AI indicates it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "intensity of thought" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that describes the depth and strength of mental activity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it is relatively rare, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. The phrase is suitable for conveying significant mental effort or engagement and can be effectively used in both formal and informal settings, although more common in formal contexts. When writing, it's important to use the phrase when describing complex or profound thinking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensity of contemplation

Mirrors the original phrase but replaces 'thought' with 'contemplation' for a more philosophical tone.

depth of contemplation

Emphasizes the profoundness and thoroughness of thinking, shifting focus from intensity to thoroughness.

profoundness of reflection

Highlights the depth and insightfulness of the thinking process, emphasizing thoughtfulness.

degree of mental focus

Similar to concentration level, but phrased to emphasize the specific attribute of focus.

concentration level

Highlights the degree of mental focus applied, quantifying the attention given to a thought or task.

power of reasoning

Highlights the capacity for logical and rational thinking, emphasizing the force behind mental processes.

level of cognitive engagement

Focuses on the extent to which one's cognitive abilities are actively involved in the thinking process.

sharpness of intellect

Shifts the focus to the acuity and keenness of mental processes, emphasizing intelligence.

strength of mental exertion

Emphasizes the effort and energy expended in thinking, shifting focus to the act of thinking itself.

fervor of ideation

Focuses on the passionate and enthusiastic generation of ideas.

FAQs

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

Use "intensity of thought" to describe situations where deep concentration or profound analysis is involved. For example: "The project required an unusual "depth of thought" and dedication from the team."

What are some alternatives to "intensity of thought"?

Alternatives include "depth of contemplation", "level of cognitive engagement", or "strength of mental exertion". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "intensity of thought" formal or informal?

"Intensity of thought" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards formal due to its descriptive nature. It is appropriate for academic papers, news articles, and thoughtful conversations.

What does "intensity of thought" imply?

"Intensity of thought" implies a focused and often strenuous mental effort, suggesting deep engagement with a subject or problem. It can denote both positive attributes like diligence and negative ones like obsession, depending on the context.