line of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"line of thought" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the sequence or pattern of ideas that make up a person's thinking or reasoning process. You can use it when discussing someone's thought process, an argument or theory, or in describing how you arrive at a conclusion. Example: "The professor's line of thought was clear and logical, leading her students to easily understand the complex concept." Example: "After much contemplation, she finally shifted her line of thought and came to a new understanding of the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Weinberg disagrees with this line of thought.

The New Yorker

This line of thought was diverting.

The New Yorker

That's one line of thought.

The New York Times

There is another line of thought.

Cornell University

Tarbuck firmly dismisses this line of thought.

The Guardian

Art-making is a line of thought.

The New York Times

This is a ridiculous line of thought.

The New York Times

That was the rational line of thought.

The New Yorker

This is surely a dangerous line of thought.

Yale University

Riccioli dismisses this with the following line of thought.

MIT Technology Review

A book represents a clear lengthy line of thought".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the "line of thought" you present is coherent and easy to follow. Use transitional phrases to guide your reader through each step in your reasoning.

Common error

Ensure your "line of thought" doesn't jump between unrelated ideas without clear connections. Abrupt shifts can confuse readers and weaken your argument. Always provide context and transitions to maintain coherence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "line of thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a particular sequence or direction in someone's reasoning. As indicated by Ludwig, it's commonly used in academic, news, and scientific contexts to articulate and analyze thought processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "line of thought" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes a sequence or direction in reasoning. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. The phrase serves to articulate or critique an argument's logical progression. When writing, ensure your "line of thought" is coherent and well-structured. Alternatives like "train of thought" or "course of reasoning" can provide nuance. Avoiding disjointed reasoning ensures the reader can easily follow the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

train of thought

Replaces "line" with "train", emphasizing the sequential nature of thinking but also implies more complexity.

course of reasoning

Substitutes "thought" with "reasoning" and "line" with "course", focusing on the logical progression of ideas.

direction of thinking

Replaces "line" with "direction" and "thought" with "thinking", highlighting the orientation of one's cognitive process.

mode of thinking

Replaces "line" with "mode", referring to a particular method or style of thought.

intellectual path

Metaphorically uses "path" instead of "line" to suggest a journey through ideas.

way of thinking

A more general term indicating a specific manner of considering something.

strand of reasoning

Uses "strand" to suggest a single, connected element within a larger context of thought.

chain of reasoning

Similar to "train of thought", but emphasizes the interconnectedness of logical steps.

intellectual trajectory

More formal alternative suggesting a projected course of intellectual development or argument.

reasoning pattern

Highlights a predictable or consistent method used in forming conclusions.

FAQs

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

You can use "line of thought" to describe someone's reasoning process, as in "Her "line of thought" was based on empirical evidence." or to analyze an argument, such as "The politician's "line of thought" seemed illogical to many voters."

What are some alternatives to "line of thought"?

Alternatives include "train of thought", "course of reasoning", or "direction of thinking", each offering a slightly different nuance to the concept of sequential reasoning.

Is it appropriate to use "line of thought" in formal writing?

Yes, "line of thought" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe a process of reasoning or a particular argument. However, ensure the context matches the level of formality. In some contexts "course of reasoning" might be more appropriate.

How does "line of thought" differ from "train of thought"?

While similar, ""line of thought"" generally refers to a more structured and directed progression of reasoning, whereas "train of thought" can imply a more meandering or associative thought process.