reflect

USAGE SUMMARY

"reflect" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb, and can be used to mean to think deeply or look back on something. For example, "We reflected on the previous year, and made a plan to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We can offer a space for shy students to reflect on their experience," says a university spokeswoman, "along with structured time with professional emotional practitioners to explore possible contexts of their shyness, and practical tips and tools, such as mindfulness and CBT".

The Guardian

The name of the project is meant to reflect the popular cycling culture in the Netherlands, where most journeys are made by bike.

The Guardian

I attended a preview and was hopeful that it would reflect my experiences.

The Guardian - Opinion

The process also enabled people to reflect on their experiences as they revisit difficult times in their lives and think clearly about what has changed.

The Guardian

Cable escalated the row by writing to Dilnot to say he disagreed strongly with Watson's decision, adding: "Whether or not it has become part of the public debate is irrelevant and to continue to state it as a government target does not in any way reflect the coalition agreement.

The Guardian

"The public rightly expects all ONS releases to reflect the facts accurately, given its role as a trusted and respected institution.

The Guardian

Listen to their comments, reflect on which you think are useful, make changes accordingly.

The Guardian

The remarks appear to reflect deepening US pessimism on Iran following the June presidential elections, which brought an entrenchment by hardliners in Tehran.

The Guardian

So our job now is to get a majority in Congress to reflect the will of the American people.

The Guardian

"They want to be able to pause and reflect about what's happened, to watch something that's chewy … once their kids are in bed".

The Guardian

Instead of judging schools according to how many pupils get five GCSEs at grade C or above, a new measure (Progress 8) will reflect every child's progress – from when they start school to when they finish.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reflect" to mean 'think seriously', ensure the context clarifies what is being thought about, such as "reflect on the consequences".

Common error

Avoid using "reflect" reflexively when it's not appropriate. For instance, instead of "He needs to reflect himself", which is grammatically incorrect, use "He needs to "reflect" on his actions".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reflect" is as a verb. It is used both transitively, to indicate something throws back light or an image, and intransitively, to signify deep thought or consideration. Ludwig AI provides ample examples showcasing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Opinion

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reflect" is a versatile verb used to denote both physical mirroring and deep contemplation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, as well as opinion pieces, suggesting its suitability for both objective reporting and subjective analysis. The neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse audiences, and while it's generally used correctly, being mindful of reflexive pronoun usage is key to avoid grammatical errors. Alternatives such as "consider" or "contemplate" offer nuanced options depending on the specific meaning intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

think about

Emphasizes the act of considering or contemplating something.

consider

Highlights the process of careful thought and evaluation.

contemplate

Suggests a deeper, more prolonged period of reflection.

ponder

Implies weighing thoughts carefully.

mirror

Focuses on accurately representing or showing something.

represent

Implies standing for or being a symbol of something else.

meditate on

Emphasizes deep, sustained thought often for spiritual purposes.

show

Indicates visually displaying or making something apparent.

demonstrate

Highlights proving or making something clear through evidence.

indicate

Suggests pointing to or signaling something.

FAQs

How can I use "reflect" in a sentence?

You can use "reflect" to mean to think deeply about something, as in "She needed time to "reflect" on her decision", or to indicate that something mirrors or represents something else, as in "The data "reflect"s a positive trend".

What are some alternatives to "reflect"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "consider", "contemplate", "mirror", or "represent". For example, instead of "The findings "reflect" the survey results", you could say "The findings "represent" the survey results".

Is it correct to say "reflect on" or simply "reflect"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Reflect on" is typically used when you want to emphasize thinking deeply about something, while "reflect" can be used more broadly to mean represent or mirror something.

What's the difference between "reflect" and "contemplate"?

"Reflect" often implies looking back at something, while "contemplate" suggests a more forward-looking, thoughtful consideration. Both verbs, however, relate to deep thought processes.