number of thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "number of thoughts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the quantity or variety of ideas or reflections someone has on a particular topic. Example: "After reflecting on the issue, I found that the number of thoughts I had was overwhelming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

In fact, Dr. Dyson concluded, by making the amount of energy expended per thought smaller and smaller the cloud could have an infinite number of thoughts while consuming only a finite amount of energy.

The New York Times - Science

A number of thoughts come to mind.

The Economist

"So you can only have a finite number of thoughts," said Dr. Krauss.

The New York Times - Science

Language allows us to express and comprehend an unbounded number of thoughts.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What we soon realize is that we can conjure up any number of thoughts.

Harvard Business Review

Subjects in the study produced a significantly different number of thoughts in response to messages with different frames.

Public Relations Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Einstein argued that the physical world must have real properties whether or not one measures them; he and Schrödinger published a number of thought experiments designed to show that things can exist beyond what is described by quantum mechanics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An increasing number of thought leaders in other industries have also been joining over the last year or two.

TechCrunch

(This is basically the problem of 'ignorance and error.') Putnam made the same basic point via a number of thought-experiments.

SEP

Holland leaves behind his legacy in the form of a large number of thought-provoking articles, video lectures, books, and inspired people ranging from colleagues, fellows and students to budding complexity enthusiasts.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

But, Ehring claims, this is something a theory according to which property instances are states of affairs cannot do (this is demonstrated with the help of a number of thought experiments, which space does not allow me to reproduce here, but see Ehring 1997: 91ff).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a quantifiable aspect of mental processes, use "number of thoughts" to clearly indicate a specific count or measurement, especially in analytical or scientific contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "number of thoughts" when you actually intend to describe the complexity, depth, or quality of thinking; instead, consider using terms like "depth of analysis" or "complexity of thought".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "number of thoughts" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It is used to quantify or specify the quantity of mental processes or ideas. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "number of thoughts" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily to quantify or measure mental activity across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While it maintains a generally neutral to formal tone, its suitability varies depending on the desired level of precision. In more informal contexts, alternatives like "many ideas" or "lots of reflections" might be preferred. Remember to use "number of thoughts" when you genuinely intend to quantify mental processes, and avoid it when describing the qualitative aspects of thinking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

count of thoughts

A more direct synonym, simply swapping "number" for "count".

amount of thoughts

Changes "number" to "amount", focusing on the quantity but often used for uncountable nouns.

quantity of thoughts

Replaces "number" with "quantity", emphasizing a measurable amount of thoughts.

volume of thoughts

Uses "volume" to suggest a large quantity or intensity of thoughts.

extent of thinking

Focuses on the degree or range of the thinking process rather than specific thoughts.

multitude of ideas

Uses "multitude" to emphasize a large and varied collection of thoughts.

plethora of thoughts

Indicates a very large or excessive number of thoughts.

frequency of thoughts

Shifts the focus to how often thoughts occur, rather than their absolute count.

range of ideas

Replaces thoughts with ideas, emphasizing variety in mental concepts.

scope of reflection

Focuses on the breadth or depth of reflective thinking.

FAQs

How can I use "number of thoughts" in a sentence?

You can use "number of thoughts" to quantify mental activity. For example: "The "number of thoughts" I had about the project was overwhelming." or "The study tracked the "number of thoughts" participants had about their performance."

What's a good alternative to "number of thoughts"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "amount of thoughts", "quantity of thoughts", or "volume of thoughts" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "number of thoughts" or "amount of thoughts"?

While both are acceptable, "number of thoughts" is generally preferred when you want to emphasize a countable quantity. "Amount of thoughts" might be used more loosely to suggest a general measure of mental activity.

How does the context affect the choice of using "number of thoughts"?

In formal or scientific contexts, "number of thoughts" is suitable for quantifying data. In more informal writing, consider alternatives like "many ideas" or "lots of reflections" for a less precise but more conversational tone.