progression of thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "progression of thoughts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the development or evolution of ideas over time or through a process. Example: "The author's book illustrates the progression of thoughts that led to his groundbreaking theories in psychology."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Perhaps his best epitaph was something written by himself: "An investigator seeking a natural progression of thoughts and experiences leading to a lucky success in developing a life saving vaccine would find only confusion.

Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A soliloquy is seldom shaped as a steady progression of thought.

The New York Times - Arts

The progression of thought can be seen as follows.

SEP

We find surprisingly strong parallels in a playful comparison of the progression of thought in the architecture of the built world and its namesake in software.

Agile Software Architecture Aligning Agile Processes and Software Architectures

Yet the short story was, for me, the more intimidating of the two: a progression of brilliant thought, condensed, as a wolf to a terrier, into something taut and confrontational.

The Guardian - Books

Evans' findings are supported by Shtulman (2006) who suggested that cognitive development within an individual often parallels the historical progression of scientific thought as more evidence comes to light.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Since Nishida composed his essays in a language and for a culture that had known philosophy as a distinct discipline for little more than half a century, his view of that discipline is equally crucial for understanding the unity and progression of his thought.

SEP

I've seen different instances of what I call the "mystery story," where a progression of events and thoughts leads to an apparently inevitable conclusion.

TechCrunch

The stadium's atmosphere palpably tensed as a progression of perfectly logical thoughts sent a jolt of fear felt around the park: it's here, it's loose, how the fuck am I going to fight my way to the car, get home and get disinfected?

Huffington Post

For all of the accolades "The Last of Her Kind" deserves, its pleasures are difficult to summarize because many are tied to the progression of a particular thought, to the character's understanding of a series of incidents and ideas over time.

The New York Times

A Brahms symphony movement can have an urgent narrative progression, but a Bruckner movement often seems a series of thoughts.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "progression of thoughts", ensure the context clearly indicates a development or evolution of ideas, not just a collection of random thoughts. For example, "The paper detailed the progression of thoughts leading to the scientific breakthrough."

Common error

Avoid using "progression of thoughts" when simply listing unrelated ideas. Instead, use it when there's a clear, logical connection or development between the thoughts being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progression of thoughts" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the manner in which thoughts develop or evolve over time, often emphasizing a logical or sequential order. Ludwig AI validates this usage, noting its correctness in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "progression of thoughts" is a noun phrase used to describe the development or evolution of ideas, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Although relatively rare, it is grammatically correct and most frequently found in scientific and news media contexts. It emphasizes the sequential or logical nature of developing thoughts. To enhance clarity, consider using transitional words to illustrate this development. Avoid using the phrase when simply listing unrelated ideas. Alternatives such as "flow of ideas" or "chain of reasoning" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Remembering these nuances will help you effectively use the phrase "progression of thoughts" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

train of thought

This suggests a sequential and connected series of thoughts.

flow of ideas

This alternative emphasizes the continuous and smooth movement of ideas.

development of ideas

This focuses on how ideas grow and evolve over time.

evolution of thinking

This emphasizes the progressive change and refinement of thought processes.

chain of reasoning

This highlights the logical connection between consecutive thoughts.

unfolding of thoughts

This describes thoughts being revealed or becoming clear gradually.

succession of ideas

This denotes a series of ideas following one after another.

logical sequence of ideas

This stresses the ordered and rational arrangement of thoughts.

line of reasoning

This focuses on a specific path or direction of thinking.

stream of consciousness

This captures the continuous flow of inner thoughts and feelings.

FAQs

How can I effectively illustrate a "progression of thoughts" in writing?

Use transitional words and phrases like "initially", "subsequently", "furthermore", and "ultimately" to guide the reader through the development of ideas. Clearly show how each thought builds upon the previous one.

What's the difference between "progression of thoughts" and "stream of consciousness"?

"Progression of thoughts" implies a more structured and logical development of ideas, while "stream of consciousness" refers to the continuous, unfiltered flow of inner thoughts and feelings, often without a clear logical sequence.

When is it appropriate to use "progression of thoughts" in a formal context?

It is suitable when discussing the development of theories, arguments, or problem-solving processes. In academic papers or professional reports, it helps to describe how ideas evolved or were refined over time.

Are there alternatives to "progression of thoughts" that emphasize logical sequencing?

Yes, phrases like "chain of reasoning", "logical sequence of ideas", or "line of reasoning" can be used to highlight the structured and rational arrangement of thoughts.