narrow thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "narrow thinking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a limited or restricted way of thinking that does not consider broader perspectives or possibilities. Example: "His narrow thinking prevented him from seeing the potential benefits of the new proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

They need to keep their focus narrow, thinking only about what they need to do to get ready to perform their best.

Huffington Post

In some ways, the focus on sexuality reflects the fairly narrow thinking of designers and photographers (or, possibly, of editors and advertising agency art directors).

The New York Times

Unprincipled motivation, narrow thinking and velvet-tongued leadership lead us into ill-conceived, dangerous wars we can't afford and corporate collapses like Enron's.

The New York Times

The new bill was introduced at the behest of the C.I.A. and was supported by the Justice Department in a fit of narrow thinking.

The New York Times

"I think his support for a rolled-gold paid parental leave scheme was a tactic to say that Tony Abbott was a modern man, that he was beyond his narrow thinking, but he's reverted to type here," said Shorten.

The Guardian

What starts out as marginally clever word-bending can lead to a status-defining mini-language that highlights the worst aspects of its user's character: in this case, insouciance, privilege, and narrow thinking.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"I thought my mind was getting narrower and narrower, thinking about trivia".

The New York Times

Apathy, for example, consists of 8 symptoms (cognitive inhibition, mental retardation, circumstantial thinking, narrowed thinking, low affectivity, affect rigidity, lethargy, social withdrawal).

BMC Psychiatry

Rearranging the eurozone now would have many problems, but difficult issues have to be intelligently discussed, rather than allowing Europe to drift in financial winds fed by narrow-minded thinking with a terrible track record.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because it's very narrow-minded thinking".

Huffington Post

Following an idealist leads to very narrow-minded thinking with a linear thought process.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing someone's viewpoint, use "narrow thinking" to highlight that their perspective might be too limited to fully grasp a situation.

Common error

While "narrow thinking" is acceptable, more formal terms like "limited perspective" or "reductive analysis" might be more appropriate in academic or professional writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrow thinking" functions as a noun phrase, often used to describe or criticize a limited or restricted approach to a particular subject or problem. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "narrow thinking" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term used to critique limited perspectives. Ludwig AI confirms it can describe limited thinking that doesn't consider broader perspectives or possibilities. It appears most commonly in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. Related phrases include "limited mindset" and "restrictive thinking". While widely acceptable, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "limited perspective" in academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited mindset

Focuses on the mental attitude or disposition being restricted.

restrictive thinking

Emphasizes the act of thinking being constrained or confined.

myopic thinking

Implies a lack of foresight or a short-sighted perspective.

shortsighted thinking

Similar to myopic, stressing a failure to consider long-term consequences.

reductive thinking

Highlights the simplification of complex issues, potentially overlooking important details.

parochial thinking

Suggests a limited worldview, often focused on local concerns.

limited perspective

Highlights that the viewpoint is restricted or incomplete.

rigid thinking

Implies an inflexibility or unwillingness to adapt one's thought processes.

small-minded thinking

Conveys a sense of pettiness or a lack of generosity in thought.

blinkered vision

Suggests that the thinker's view is obscured by some obstacle or prejudice.

FAQs

How can I use "narrow thinking" in a sentence?

You can use "narrow thinking" to describe a limited or restricted way of thinking that doesn't consider broader perspectives. For example: "His "narrow thinking" prevented him from seeing the potential benefits of the new proposal."

What are some alternatives to "narrow thinking"?

Alternatives include "limited mindset", "restrictive thinking", or "myopic thinking", depending on the specific context.

Is "narrow thinking" a formal or informal expression?

"Narrow thinking" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but in highly formal writing, consider using alternatives like "limited perspective" or "reductive analysis".

What's the difference between "narrow thinking" and "small-minded thinking"?

"Narrow thinking" refers to a limited scope of thought, while "small-minded thinking" implies a petty or ungenerous attitude.