progress of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"progress of thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase which can be used to describe the logical progression of ideas in a piece of writing. For example, "The author's progress of thought was clear and well organized, making it easy to follow the argument they were making."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Heart to Hand," a group show she organized around the idea of "art being received in connection to a political progress of thought," is on view at the Swiss Institute in SoHo until April 15.

The New York Times

She was invited to plan something not exactly in response to Occupy Wall Street, but in light of the recent movement, and her notion for the show was "the thought of art being received in connection to a political progress of thought".

The New York Times

The history of writing is the history of persona-creation — indeed, the history of the intellectual world is the role-reversal of dogs and lions by means of the overall revaluation of virtues effected by the progress of thought itself as a medium (in this regard, I've always considered the key twist to be the contrast of the gadfly Thersites, in the "Iliad," with Plato's Socrates).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The reason for this optimistic thought is the progress being made towards the creation of a drug known as an antiviral.

BBC

The result is a disturbing tale of how personal ambitions and insecurities can leave a long-lasting aftershock in the progress of scientific thought.

The Guardian - Books

Buy from Amazon.comTHE unrelenting pace of scientific accomplishment often outstrips the progress of moral thought, leaving people struggling to make sense, initially at least, of whether heart transplants are ethical or test-tube babies desirable.

The Economist

UC Berkeley neuroscientists have tracked the progress of a thought through the brain, showing clearly how the prefrontal cortex at the front of the brain coordinates activity to help us act in response to a perception.

University of California, Berkeley

Mr Vigil's accusations are a poor attempt at justifying the unjustifiable the undemocratic nature of the current Anglo-Spanish talks by tarnishing Gibraltar's reputation.Keith AzopardiDeputy-chief ministerGibraltarMuslims in EuropeSIR – Your article on Europe's Muslims falls into the "them and us" trap that stifles the progress of political thought on Islam ("Europe's Muslims", August 10th).

The Economist

Whewell explained that "the Ideas, the germs of them at least, were in the human mind before [experience]; but by the progress of scientific thought they are unfolded into clearness and distinctness" (1860a, 373).

SEP

A self-educated man, not versed in any European language, Khrimian studied in his own language sufficiently to become familiar with the progress of human thought in general, and in particular, with the treasures of Armenian literature, ancient and modern, and the multifarious aspects — religious, political, social and philosophical — p414 of the contemporary situation of the world.

University of Chicago

And the beauty of the world at that moment, the majestic advance of ice in the river, so like the progress of the thoughts inside your head, overwhelmed you, filling you with one desire and one desire only, which was to go home immediately and write about it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "progress of thought" when you want to emphasize the development and evolution of ideas over time, particularly in academic or formal writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "progress of thought" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "thinking about it" or "how ideas develop" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progress of thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig indicates its use in formal writing, often describing the development of ideas or reasoning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "progress of thought" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that describes the evolution and development of ideas, as confirmed by Ludwig. While relatively rare, its usage is most appropriate in formal, academic, or analytical contexts. Given its formal tone, consider using simpler alternatives like "evolution of ideas" in casual settings. The phrase appears in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and academic publications, indicating its reliability in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progress of thinking

A more direct synonym, focusing on the act of thinking.

progress of ideas

Similar, but emphasizes the advancement of specific concepts.

advances in thought

Highlights specific improvements or breakthroughs in thinking.

progress of mind

Highlights the development or advancement of mental capacity.

progress of reflections

Refers to the development of ideas through contemplation.

implementation of thought

Focuses on the practical application or realization of an idea.

leap of thought

Emphasizes a sudden or significant advancement in thinking.

work of thought

Indicates the result or product of intellectual activity.

accomplishment of thought

Stresses the achievement or completion of an intellectual goal.

made of thought

Suggests the composition or origin of something in thought.

FAQs

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

You can use "progress of thought" to describe the evolution of ideas, such as: "The paper traces the "progress of thought" in economic theory over the last century".

What's a simpler alternative to "progress of thought"?

Alternatives include "evolution of ideas", "development of thinking", or "advancement of knowledge". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "progress of thought" most appropriate?

The phrase is most suitable for formal writing, academic discussions, and philosophical analyses, where a nuanced understanding of intellectual development is required.

Is there a difference between "progress of thought" and "progress of mind"?

"Progress of mind" refers to the development of mental capacity or intellect, while "progress of thought" focuses on the evolution of specific ideas or a line of reasoning.