required thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "required thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a certain level of thinking or consideration is necessary for a particular task or situation. Example: "This problem requires thought before we can arrive at a solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I once had a room in which I used red, and every time I walked into the room, I'd be conscious of the red and look at the red and think, 'Red, oh, I like red,' but it required thought.

The New York Times

The timing of the blood sample required thought.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Shotguns require thought and intimacy.

The Guardian - Tech

"Managing our relationship is going to require thought and care".

The New York Times

So eating healthier and exercising more requires thought and self-regulation.

Independent

Such choices will require thought – but no more or less than that which goes into any number of routine strategic reviews.

The Guardian - Opinion

Patient acuity and staffing, as Ms. Brown well knows, are complex and individual issues that require thought and attention rather than bureaucracy.

The New York Times

The lesson from the laboratory is clear: thinking about tasks that don't require thought isn't just pointless, it's debilitating.

The New York Times

The puzzles are well-judged and require thought and imagination to progress, rather than the detached glaze most iPhone games encourage.

The Guardian - Tech

It simply requires thought.

HuffPost

It won't require thought or planning or angst.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "required thought" to highlight the cognitive effort needed for a task or decision. This emphasizes the importance of careful consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "required thought" in situations where the need for thinking is obvious. Opt for simpler phrasing to maintain clarity and avoid sounding pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "required thought" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, acting as a noun phrase within a sentence. Ludwig's AI confirms its usability. The verb "required" indicates necessity, while "thought" refers to the mental process.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "required thought" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something needs careful consideration. While Ludwig confirms its usability, the phrase is considered uncommon, occurring mainly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When writing, it's best to use "required thought" when you wish to emphasize the importance of cognitive effort, while avoiding overuse in simple contexts. Consider alternatives such as "needed consideration" or "demanded reflection" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required careful consideration

Adds the adjective "careful" to emphasize the importance of thoroughness in thinking.

needed consideration

Replaces the verb with a noun, shifting the emphasis slightly towards the act of considering.

demanded reflection

Substitutes "thought" with "reflection", implying a deeper, more contemplative process.

warranted deep thought

Replaces "required" with "warranted" and adds "deep" to emphasize the intensity of thinking.

necessitated contemplation

Replaces both words with more formal synonyms, increasing the formality of the phrase.

called for deliberation

Changes the structure to emphasize the need for careful and thorough discussion.

involved mental effort

Focuses on the cognitive exertion involved rather than the thought itself.

demanded intellectual engagement

Emphasizes the active and involved nature of the thinking process.

needed cognitive processing

Uses more technical language to describe the mental activity involved.

necessitated brainstorming

Indicates a specific type of thought process involving generating ideas.

FAQs

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

You can use "required thought" to indicate that a certain level of thinking or consideration is necessary. For example: "This problem "requires thought" before we can arrive at a solution."

What are some alternatives to "required thought"?

Alternatives include "needed consideration", "demanded reflection", or "necessitated contemplation", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "requires thought" or "needs thought"?

"Requires thought" is generally more formal than "needs thought". The choice depends on the context and the desired tone. In many cases, they are interchangeable.

What does it mean when something "requires thought"?

It means that the subject at hand demands careful consideration, analysis, or deliberation. It suggests the issue is not straightforward and requires cognitive effort to understand or resolve.