rough thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough thoughts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to initial, unrefined ideas or opinions on a subject before they are fully developed or polished. Example: "I just wanted to share some rough thoughts on the project before we finalize our plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Rough translation: one who can never keep his rough thoughts to himself.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When you picture living in a mobile home, thoughts of "roughing it" in tiny cramped quarters come to mind, right?

Huffington Post

Write a rough draft to gather your thoughts about the analysis before polishing your work for submission.

WikiHow

Though later efforts may have fewer rough edges, benefit from deeper thought about explanation, or be less dense, they are less likely to offer actual new stuff.

The Guardian - Books

You can actually hear the cuts as the ambience is abruptly broken up; he wants to remind us of the rough edges and shifts of thought to be found in anyone's diary.

The New York Times

Brodie's "Penetration of a Thought," a wonderfully rough, angular portrayal of a seated woman reading, hangs next to Thompson's "Differences," a similarly awkward rendering of a standing man reading and a nude woman, seated, her back to us, gazing into a mirror.

The New York Times - Arts

Ordinary life, ordinary days and cares, a concert, a conversation, strolls on the town's outskirts, good news, bad— but objects and thoughts were unfinished somehow, rough drafts.

The New Yorker

I'll write a rough draft, a free-flow of thoughts on the topic.

Huffington Post

Likewise, the following chart making the rounds on social media highlights a rough map of sandwich schools of thought, which is useful as a starting place for discussion.

Vice

Everybody loves accountability but you have to believe that Team USA are being a bit rough on themselves if that's the thought in their clubhouse.

The Guardian - Sport

He sees it all on the streets, but he says he can't bear the thought of girls out sleeping rough.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rough thoughts" when you want to convey that your ideas are still in the early stages of development and may not be fully formed or refined. This implies openness to feedback and further elaboration.

Common error

Avoid using "rough thoughts" when you actually intend to express critical or judgmental opinions. "Rough thoughts" suggests incompleteness, while harsh judgments imply severity. If you're being critical, consider using phrases like "critical analysis" or "tough assessment" to more accurately reflect your intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough thoughts" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "rough" modifies the noun "thoughts". It describes the quality or state of the thoughts being unrefined or preliminary. As Ludwig AI notes, it is a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough thoughts" describes preliminary, unpolished ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While relatively rare, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. To enhance clarity in formal settings, consider alternatives like "preliminary ideas" or "initial impressions". Remember, using "rough thoughts" suggests openness to feedback and further development of ideas, differentiating it from harsher, more critical expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rough drafts of thought

Draws a direct analogy to written drafts, emphasizing the unpolished nature.

early thoughts

Focuses on the stage of formulation in the development of ideas.

tentative thoughts

Indicates that the thoughts are provisional and subject to change.

preliminary ideas

Emphasizes the initial and undeveloped nature of the ideas.

unformed ideas

Stresses the incomplete and nascent state of the ideas.

undeveloped concepts

Highlights the lack of detailed elaboration in the concepts.

unrefined notions

Highlights the lack of polish and sophistication in the ideas.

sketchy concepts

Suggests a rough and incomplete outline of the ideas.

initial impressions

Focuses on first thoughts and reactions.

raw opinions

Conveys the unfiltered and potentially harsh nature of the opinions.

FAQs

What does "rough thoughts" mean?

The phrase "rough thoughts" refers to initial, unpolished, or preliminary ideas or opinions on a subject. It suggests that the thoughts are not yet fully developed or refined.

What can I say instead of "rough thoughts"?

You can use alternatives like "preliminary ideas", "initial impressions", or "tentative thoughts" depending on the context.

How can I use "rough thoughts" in a sentence?

You might say, "I just wanted to share some "rough thoughts" on the project before we finalize our plan," indicating that you have some early ideas you'd like to discuss.

Is "rough thoughts" formal or informal?

"Rough thoughts" is generally considered to be relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, it's best to avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing, opting for more precise alternatives like "preliminary analysis".