plane of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"plane of thought" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a specific level or perspective of thinking. Example: The book explores the different planes of thought that the protagonist goes through as he tries to solve the mystery.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

His solos, forever steeped in effort, periodically brought him to an inspired plane of thought, the notes themselves seeming to propel him forward.

The New York Times - Arts

'She said, "You two are on a higher plane of thought; I'd say you need some diversionary therapy!"' Miller complains about the national mistrust of cleverness and flinches whenever he is referred to as Dr Miller.

The Guardian - Books

"There has never been a party in this country," he continued, "which has held fewer offices and has had a more distinct and decided influence upon the life of the country in elevating it to a higher plane of thought and action than has been performed by the Progressive Party.

The New York Times

"Voyage of Time" inhabits a rarefied plane of thought, detached from the practicalities of daily life, that leave it open to a facile and utterly unjustified dismissal, given the breathtaking intensity of its stylistic unity and the immediate, firsthand force of its philosophical reflections.

The New Yorker

He was on another plane of thought – not a higher plane, necessarily, but somewhere otherworldly and far away.

Vice

I like to hide my camera and use a remote control, because then no one knows when I'm actually imprisoning their souls in the visual plane of thought or just sitting there, waiting, and then making time stop.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

As scholar, teacher, publicist, and man of affairs he made his influence felt on several different planes of thought and action.

The Guardian

Burke's deeply felt antagonism to the new movement propelled him to the plane of general political thought; it provoked a host of English replies, of which the best known is Thomas Paine's The Rights of Man (1791 92).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Martino was on a plane bound for Europe on Monday, but there were two schools of thought flying through the Catalan city.

The New York Times - Sports

Glenn Llopis: Linear thinking and diversity of thought seem to reflect the peaks and plateaus of what you call the "plane of possibility". Leaders should expand their planes of possibility and move between the peaks and plateaus but they don't.

Forbes

Come, leaders of thought!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plane of thought" to denote a specific level or realm of intellectual consideration, often in philosophical or abstract contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "plane of thought" when simpler terms like "thinking" or "perspective" would suffice. The phrase is most effective when conveying a sense of intellectual depth or abstract reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plane of thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing states of mind or levels of intellectual engagement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plane of thought" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that refers to a specific level or sphere of intellectual consideration. While its usage is rare, Ludwig AI confirms it is correct in written English. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase carries a formal tone, often used in philosophical or academic discussions. When writing, consider simpler alternatives if the context doesn't require emphasizing intellectual depth. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in describing states of mind or abstract ideas. The phrase aims to elevate the idea and is best suited to professional or neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intellectual level

Similar, but emphasizes a hierarchical ranking of thought.

cognitive realm

Highlights the cognitive aspects of thought, focusing on mental processes.

realm of ideas

Stresses the abstract nature of thoughts and concepts.

intellectual sphere

Emphasizes the domain or scope of intellectual activity.

thought dimension

Emphasizes the depth and scope of a particular train of thought.

level of understanding

Focuses on comprehension and cognitive ability rather than a realm of thought.

mental landscape

Uses a metaphorical representation of thought as a terrain to be explored.

intellectual capacity

Concentrates on the ability to think and reason effectively.

cognitive capacity

Concentrates on the mental ability to understand and process information.

level of consciousness

Shifts the focus to awareness and perception.

FAQs

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

You can use "plane of thought" to describe a specific level or type of thinking, as in, "His solos brought him to an inspired "plane of thought"".

What's a good alternative to "plane of thought"?

Depending on the context, you could use "level of understanding", "intellectual sphere", or "cognitive realm".

Is "plane of thought" formal or informal?

The phrase "plane of thought" tends to be more formal, often appearing in philosophical, academic, or literary contexts rather than casual conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "plane of thought"?

Use "plane of thought" when you want to emphasize the abstract or intellectual nature of thinking, such as when discussing philosophical ideas or complex reasoning processes.