patterns of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"patterns of thought" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an individual's mental processes and attitudes, as in the following example sentence: "The teacher was impressed by the student's innovative patterns of thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We don't notice such patterns of thought until we see them being thought up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Patterns of thought are learned at school.

The Guardian

It reflects patterns of thought; it's very disjunctive.

The New York Times

Nichols's music emphasizes ideas, processes, patterns of thought.

The New York Times - Arts

Negative patterns of thought can become entrenched, with the ruts getting deeper and deeper.

The Guardian

Patterns of thought and activity which form part of a single whole are split into topics.

The Guardian - Books

They suggest ways of realigning your patterns of thought so as to make you happier and to improve your relationships.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the end what emerges is a portrait of human consciousness: will, need, patterns of thought and action.

The New York Times

What this march is going to do is help the Alabama Negro to break his patterns of thought.

The New Yorker

No sport is more inward-looking than tennis, more conducive to emotional turmoil, downward-spiralling patterns of thought.

The Guardian - Sport

This approach is grounded in the idea that changing patterns of thought can alter our emotions and behaviour.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing deeply ingrained habits, consider using "patterns of thought" to emphasize the recurring and often unconscious nature of these mental processes.

Common error

While "patterns of thought" is widely applicable, it can sound overly formal or academic in casual conversation. In such cases, simpler alternatives like "ways of thinking" or "thought habits" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patterns of thought" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig shows, it refers to the recurring and identifiable ways in which someone thinks or processes information. This is reflected in examples such as "negative patterns of thought can become entrenched" or "realigning your patterns of thought".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "patterns of thought" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe recurring mental processes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates the idea of habitual ways of thinking and can be used to discuss everything from cognitive therapy to societal shifts. Its usage spans multiple contexts, but it is most frequent in News & Media, Academia and Science. When writing, keep in mind that while broadly applicable, in casual settings, simpler terms may be preferable. Remember, being conscious of one's "patterns of thought" can lead to personal growth and a better understanding of the world.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thought patterns

Reverses the order of the words, maintaining the same meaning.

cognitive patterns

Substitutes "thought" with the more formal and technical "cognitive".

mental frameworks

Replaces "patterns" with "frameworks" and "thought" with "mental", emphasizing structure.

ways of thinking

Offers a more general and less technical alternative to "patterns of thought".

cognitive processes

Focuses on the mechanisms of thought rather than the recurring patterns.

thought processes

Highlights the sequence of mental activity rather than the recurring formations.

mental habits

Emphasizes the habitual nature of certain thought processes.

thinking styles

Indicates distinct approaches and manners of processing information.

belief systems

Focuses on organized sets of beliefs influencing thought.

mindsets

Highlights established attitudes and fixed ways of thinking.

FAQs

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

"Patterns of thought" refers to recurring ways of thinking. For example, "Cognitive therapy aims to change negative "patterns of thought"."

What are some alternatives to "patterns of thought"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "thought patterns", "cognitive patterns", or "ways of thinking".

Are "patterns of thought" the same as "thought processes"?

While related, "patterns of thought" emphasizes recurring mental pathways, whereas "thought processes" focuses on the sequence of mental activities.

In what fields is the term "patterns of thought" commonly used?

The term "patterns of thought" is frequently used in psychology, philosophy, education, and increasingly in technology when discussing AI and machine learning.