passage of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passage of thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process or flow of ideas in someone's mind or during a discussion. Example: "As I sat in silence, the passage of thought led me to a profound realization about my life choices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I see this piece as a passage of thought, a brain's musing, however frightening it may be.

Huffington Post

Like Joyce, Lispector strove to capture the quicksilver passage of thought, to inhabit its formulation and digression without a narrative overseer.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Furthermore, there are plenty of passages which are not just difficult but apparently unnecessarily obscure, sometimes muddled as passages of thought or explication.

The Guardian - Books

This quote is from Mao Zedong's 1927 Report on an Investigation of the Peasant Movement in Hunan, and part of a longer passage of his thoughts on the need to overthrow the ruling class through violence.

Huffington Post

Because Stewart has proved himself able to unravel election spin (and a desk-side chat with him has become practically a political rite of passage), the thought of next year's contest without Stewart on the scene only increases our national malaise toward the growing list of candidates.

Vice

Lerner is attempting to capture something that most conventional novels, with their cumbersome caravans of plot and scene and "conflict," fail to do: the drift of thought, the unmomentous passage of undramatic life.

The New Yorker

In this passage, ideas are cast as modes of thought that represent (or present or exhibit — Descartes uses such terms interchangeably) "objects" to the mind.

SEP

An affect that increases the body's ability to maintain its distinctive ratio is paralleled in the mind by a modification that increases that mind's power of thought, and the passage from lesser to greater power is joy (IIIp11s, Affect Def. II).

SEP

One might try assimilating this line of thought to those passages where Augustine has in mind necessary a priori truths.

SEP

Modifications that decrease the power of a body to maintain its individual ratio are paralleled by modifications decreasing the mind's power of thought, and such passages are sadness (IIIp11s, Affect Def. III).

SEP

The passage of time warped, and my thoughts danced in strange directions.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passage of thought" to describe the fluid and continuous nature of thinking, particularly in contexts involving creativity, introspection, or complex reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "passage of thought" when you mean a fleeting or trivial idea. Instead, use "passing thought" to refer to a brief or insignificant idea that quickly comes and goes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passage of thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object within a sentence, describing the process or movement of ideas and mental activity. Ludwig AI suggests that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various writing contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passage of thought" is a noun phrase that refers to the flow and progression of ideas in the mind. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and literature, lending itself to introspective and analytical writing. When using this phrase, it's important to distinguish it from "passing thought", which refers to a fleeting idea. Alternatives like "train of thought" or "flow of consciousness" can be used for slight variations in meaning. Overall, "passage of thought" is a valuable phrase for describing the dynamic nature of mental activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

train of thought

This phrase indicates a sequence of connected thoughts and ideas.

flow of consciousness

This phrase refers to the continuous stream of thoughts, feelings, and sensations passing through a person's mind.

stream of ideas

This refers to a continuous and uninterrupted flow of ideas.

succession of thoughts

This suggests a series of thoughts that follow one another.

progression of ideas

This phrase describes how ideas develop or advance in a structured manner.

mental process

This is a broader term referring to any cognitive activity, including thinking and reasoning.

cognitive process

Similar to "mental process", but specifically emphasizes cognitive functions.

intellectual journey

This implies a deeper and more meaningful exploration of ideas.

unfolding of ideas

This suggests that ideas are gradually revealed or developed.

mental excursion

A more imaginative and less structured exploration of thoughts.

FAQs

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

You can use "passage of thought" to describe the way ideas flow through someone's mind, such as "The novel beautifully captures the character's internal "passage of thought" as they grapple with difficult decisions".

What phrases are similar to "passage of thought"?

Alternatives to "passage of thought" include phrases like "train of thought", "flow of consciousness", or "stream of ideas", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is "passage of thought" a formal or informal expression?

"Passage of thought" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it often appears in more reflective or analytical writing. Its formality depends on the surrounding vocabulary and tone.

What is the difference between "passage of thought" and "passing thought"?

"Passage of thought" refers to the process or flow of thinking, while "passing thought" describes a brief or fleeting idea. They are not interchangeable.