right to think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "right to think" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing individual freedoms, particularly in the context of personal beliefs or opinions. Example: "Every citizen should have the right to think freely and express their opinions without fear of retribution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Women are right to think that.

The New York Times

They're right to think that.

The Guardian

The right to think at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You are right to think like that," he told me.

The New Yorker

"You are right to think like that," Mansour said.

The New Yorker

And both have the right to think they are right.

The Washington Post

And given the data, they are right to think that.

The Guardian - Business

It wouldn't be right to think about just one".

The New York Times - Sports

"It wouldn't be right to think that we've already advanced," Czech Republic coach Michal Bilek said.

The New York Times - Sports

Young people are exactly right to think that luck plays a dominant factor in economic success.

The New York Times

And he may be right to think he has a receptive audience.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or philosophical contexts, consider using "right to think" to underscore the inherent entitlement to independent thought and reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "right to think" interchangeably with freedom of speech. The former refers to the internal process of forming thoughts and beliefs, while the latter concerns the external expression of those thoughts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "right to think" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the fundamental entitlement to form and hold one's own thoughts and opinions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "right to think" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that refers to the fundamental entitlement to individual thought and belief. As Ludwig AI points out, it's usable in written English when discussing individual freedoms. While related to freedom of speech, it focuses on the internal process of forming opinions, rather than their external expression. It appears most often in news media, but also has relevance in science and formal business contexts. When writing about this concept, remember to distinguish it from freedom of speech and use it to emphasize intellectual autonomy and the importance of independent thought.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

freedom of thought

Emphasizes the liberty to form one's own ideas and beliefs without external constraint.

intellectual freedom

Highlights the freedom to explore and express intellectual ideas.

liberty of opinion

Focuses on the freedom to hold and express personal opinions.

freedom of conscience

Specifically relates to the freedom to hold moral or ethical beliefs.

right to believe

Stresses the entitlement to hold specific beliefs or convictions.

cognitive liberty

Refers to the autonomy of an individual's mental processes.

freedom to form opinions

Highlights the process of developing one's own viewpoints.

entitlement to think

Emphasizes the justified claim or privilege to engage in thought.

license to think

Suggests a permitted or authorized freedom to think.

power of thought

Highlights capacity and independence of mind to form judgments and inferences.

FAQs

What does it mean to have the "right to think"?

Having the "right to think" means that individuals should be free to form their own opinions and beliefs without fear of censorship or persecution. It is a fundamental aspect of intellectual freedom.

How does the "right to think" differ from freedom of speech?

The "right to think" refers to the internal freedom to form thoughts and beliefs, while freedom of speech is the right to express those thoughts openly. One is internal and the other external.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "right to think"?

You can use alternatives like "freedom of thought", "intellectual freedom", or "liberty of opinion" depending on the context.

Is the "right to think" absolute?

While the "right to think" is a fundamental freedom, it is sometimes debated whether it can be limited in extreme cases where thoughts directly incite violence or harm. However, most legal systems prioritize protecting freedom of thought to the greatest extent possible.