overall thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

"overall thinking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to considering all the facts, elements, or data of a particular situation. For example, "We need to consider all aspects of the project before making a decision, so let's take some time to do some overall thinking about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Her capability to think or concentrate adequately was reduced, and her overall thinking processes were slow.

BMC Psychiatry

"We don't believe a low score in one question reflects overall thinking and action on it," a spokesperson told the Guardian.

The Guardian

I would have tried to explain there's a distinction between a policy handbook, which is the overall thinking of the party over 30 years, and what will be in our election manifesto".

The Guardian

While the memo appeared to give the C.I.A. wide latitude in adopting tactics to interrogate high-level Qaeda detainees, it is still unclear exactly what procedures were used or the extent to which the memo influenced the government's overall thinking about interrogations of other terror detainees captured in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

The New York Times

A senior Justice Department official acknowledged on Tuesday that the question of whether Mr. Ashcroft should step aside had stirred discussion in the department, but said that the dissent was limited and did not reflect the overall thinking of the career lawyers who are in daily control of the leak case.

The New York Times

While the memo appeared to give the C.I.A. wide latitude in adopting tactics to interrogate high-level suspected Qaeda detainees, it is still unclear exactly what procedures were used or the extent to which the memo influenced the government's overall thinking about interrogations of other terror detainees captured in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Overall, advanced thinking skills appear necessary to recognize multifaceted criteria in the design process.

Design Studies

At Time 2, we included two additional items using the same four-step response scale: "How concerned are you about your future health overall?" and "Thinking about the important people in your life, how concerned are they about getting mouth or throat cancer in the future?" The three Time 2 items were averaged to form a single index (α = .69).69

Annals of Behavioral Medicine

The poll also suggested that they think the Church leadership is out of step with their thinking overall.

The New Yorker

It will help you understand founders' thinking, overall business health and the startup goals.

TechCrunch

Looking forward to a vacation or other such experience was also more positive overall than not thinking of any new purchase.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overall thinking" to emphasize a comprehensive assessment or strategic approach, rather than a detail-oriented analysis. For example, "The project requires overall thinking to ensure all aspects are aligned with the objectives."

Common error

Avoid using "overall thinking" when "thinking" alone suffices. For instance, instead of saying "the overall thinking was flawed", consider "the thinking was flawed" if the context already implies a comprehensive assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overall thinking" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "overall" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "thinking". As Ludwig AI points out, it's used to describe a general or comprehensive approach to thought.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overall thinking" is a common phrase that signifies a comprehensive and strategic approach to thought. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its usage across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science. To enhance your writing, employ "overall thinking" when emphasizing breadth of perspective, but avoid redundancy by ensuring "overall" adds value. Consider alternatives like "comprehensive perspective" or "holistic approach" for nuanced meanings. Be aware of the register and tailor your language to suit your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

big picture thinking

Implies focusing on the broad context rather than details.

comprehensive perspective

Emphasizes a broad and inclusive viewpoint, rather than the mental process itself.

holistic approach

Focuses on the interconnectedness of elements, shifting from individual thought to a systemic view.

strategic mindset

Highlights a planned and goal-oriented way of thinking, adding a layer of intent.

global perspective

Suggests a worldwide view, specifying the scope of the thinking.

systemic understanding

Implies grasping the relationships within a complex system, focusing on knowledge acquisition.

integrated viewpoint

Stresses the combination of different ideas, specifying synthesis.

general assessment

Focuses on evaluation, moving from the process of thinking to its outcome.

overarching concept

Refers to a dominant or central idea, not necessarily a thought process.

complete evaluation

Conveys a sense of thoroughness in assessment.

FAQs

How can I incorporate "overall thinking" into my writing?

Use "overall thinking" to indicate a comprehensive and strategic approach to a problem or situation. For example, "The company needs to improve its overall thinking about sustainability".

What are some alternatives to "overall thinking"?

You can use alternatives such as "comprehensive perspective", "holistic approach", or "strategic mindset" depending on the context.

Is "overall thinking" formal or informal?

"Overall thinking" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in professional and academic settings. Choose the best phrase based on your audience.

How does "overall thinking" differ from "critical thinking"?

"Overall thinking" emphasizes a broad and strategic view, while "critical thinking" focuses on analyzing and evaluating information. "Overall thinking" aims for comprehensiveness, whereas critical thinking seeks accuracy and validity.