raw thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raw thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unrefined or unfiltered idea or opinion that has not yet been fully developed or articulated. Example: "During the brainstorming session, I shared a raw thought about a new marketing strategy that could potentially attract more customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At times, Staley's value system seems perverse: the raw thought being prized over the polished expression.

The New Yorker

Between 1974 and 1978, Godard and Miéville collaborated on three films and two video series, all of which are experimental in the best sense of the word — filled with raw thought and technical innovations — and which served Godard as a laboratory of ideas during the decades that followed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Years back, he wrote about his struggle with depression in his blog, Raw Thoughts.

The New York Times - Tech

The camera watches as he comes up with and then develops his initial, raw thoughts on a subject and then quickly whittles them into an often-profound conclusion.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She measures out the devastation of each song slowly, like a person giving directions to someone wearing a blindfold; she can make small ideas feel oceanic, and shockingly raw thoughts seem almost low-key.

The New Yorker

They create content without scripts; express raw thoughts, emotions, and points of view.

Huffington Post

In a world where many aspects of our daily lives are written or recorded and transmitted digitally, our raw thoughts and casual observations are increasingly open to scrutiny and vulnerable to interception.

Huffington Post

In art imitating life terms, no mere TV show on a network television should have the gall or instinctive foresight to depict this kind of raw black thought.

Vice

Loneliness is almost always good for letter writers, and when nearly all his children have left early wartime London for safer harbors, Kennedy seems raw with night thoughts: "Everybody hates the war but don't see how they can get out of it.

The New York Times - Books

This fearless exercise in political reportage is also a formidable, if necessarily raw, work of political thought.

The New York Times

Bananas, as we all know, have tender, silky flesh and are irresistibly sweet and slightly floral – so good that we eat them raw without a second thought.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "raw thought" to describe ideas in their earliest stages, especially when emphasizing their originality or lack of refinement. This phrase is particularly effective in contexts where unfiltered expression is valued.

Common error

While "raw thought" can be appropriate, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing where precision and well-developed arguments are expected. Consider using more formal alternatives like "preliminary hypothesis" or "initial concept".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raw thought" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "raw" modifies the noun "thought". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "raw thought" describes an initial, unrefined idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts and carries a neutral tone. When writing, use "raw thought" to emphasize originality or lack of refinement, but consider more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional settings. Related phrases include "initial idea", "unfiltered idea", and "unrefined concept".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial idea

Focuses on the temporal aspect of being the first idea.

unfiltered idea

Emphasizes the lack of processing or censorship.

unrefined concept

Highlights the lack of development or polishing.

preliminary notion

Stresses the early and tentative nature of the idea.

undeveloped idea

Focuses on the lack of elaboration or detail.

first impression

Highlights the initial mental image or understanding.

gut feeling

Emphasizes the intuitive and instinctive nature of the thought.

rough idea

Implies a basic, unpolished concept.

crude notion

Suggests a basic, and potentially unformed idea.

basic concept

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the idea.

FAQs

How can I use "raw thought" in a sentence?

You might say, "The artist's sketch captured the raw thought behind the sculpture" or "The brainstorming session was meant to generate raw thought, no matter how unconventional".

What phrases can I use instead of "raw thought"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "initial idea", "unfiltered idea", or "unrefined concept".

Is it appropriate to use "raw thought" in academic writing?

While not inherently incorrect, "raw thought" may be too informal for academic writing. Consider more precise terms like "preliminary hypothesis" or "initial proposition".

What is the difference between "raw thought" and "polished thought"?

"Raw thought" refers to an idea in its nascent, undeveloped state, while "polished thought" implies a carefully considered and refined idea.