leading thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leading thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a dominant or influential idea that guides a discussion or argument. Example: "The leading thought in our meeting was the importance of sustainability in our business practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

PayPal isn't necessarily going to adopt those technologies, since Leblanc's role is more about leading thought than actual technologies, he said.

Independent

Ultimately, however, the higher-education president today is expected to be a change agent and a global visionary, cognizant of the larger social, economic, and cultural factors that impact a campus while leading thought, practice, and innovation within organizations which can be resistant to rapid change.

Huffington Post

Another leading thought of almost equal importance among the personnel concerns progress via small steps.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Among the participants, the most important leading thought has become that development should originate with the starting points of each educational community.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Dr. Tracey Wilen-Daugenti is a leading thought leader on career development.

Huffington Post

Dr. Tracey Wilen-Daugenti is a leading thought leader on women, the workplace, and careers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Based on the leading thoughts mentioned above, we wish to emphasize one more thing: research, development and practical work support one another.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

As was argued by Kuusi et al. [4], the questions would serve best the planning of a foresight project by leading thoughts to each step of the process beforehand.

European Journal of Futures Research

He once sang the Muppets theme song to a team he was leading at ThoughtWorks, where he was employed at the time of his death.

The New York Times

Mental taste arises in response to ideas that arise in response to impressions (e.g., viewing a photograph occasions thoughts about the place pictured, leading to thoughts about experiences one had or might have there, and the thoughts arising in this imaginative process are pleasurable or painful).

SEP

Underneath the water is the life I'm leading, the thoughts I'm thinking and the emotions that well up in me.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leading thought" to introduce a key idea or perspective, particularly when discussing innovation or future trends.

Common error

Avoid using "leading thought" excessively in highly formal academic papers. Opt for more precise terms like "seminal theory" or "foundational concept" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leading thought" functions as a noun phrase, where 'leading' acts as an adjective modifying 'thought'. It indicates a principal or guiding idea. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leading thought" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that refers to an influential or dominant idea. While the Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is uncommon. Its primary use is within news, scientific, and formal business contexts, denoting key concepts that shape discussions or fields. When writing, be mindful of the context and avoid overuse in overly formal settings, opting for more specific terms when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foremost thought

Highlights the prominence and priority of the thought.

guiding principle

Focuses on the foundational aspect of a thought, emphasizing its role as a rule or belief.

central idea

Highlights the core concept, moving away from the leadership aspect.

key concept

Emphasizes the importance and fundamental nature of the thought.

dominant ideology

Shifts the focus to a system of beliefs rather than a single thought.

prevailing wisdom

Indicates a widely accepted belief or idea, suggesting broad agreement.

driving force

Focuses on the impetus or motivation behind actions or decisions.

underlying assumption

Highlights the implicit belief upon which a thought or argument is based.

principal consideration

Emphasizes the importance of a thought in decision-making.

seminal idea

Indicates a highly influential or groundbreaking concept.

FAQs

How can I use "leading thought" in a sentence?

You can use "leading thought" to describe an influential idea that shapes a discussion or field. For instance, "The "leading thought" in the conference was the role of AI in sustainable development".

What are some alternatives to "leading thought"?

Alternatives include "guiding principle", "central idea", or "key concept", depending on the specific context.

Is "leading thought" the same as "dominant thought"?

"Leading thought" implies influence and direction, while "dominant thought" suggests prevalence or control. While they can overlap, "leading thought" emphasizes guidance, and "dominant thought" emphasizes widespread acceptance.

When is it appropriate to use "leading thought" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "leading thought" when referring to a concept that is at the forefront of a particular field or discussion, especially when that concept is driving innovation or change.