shaped my thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shaped my thinking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how experiences, information, or influences have altered or developed your thought processes or perspectives. Example: "The various books I read during my college years really shaped my thinking about social issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Robert Peel's nine principles [of policing] shaped my thinking".

The Guardian

Over the past 30 years two insights have shaped my thinking about jobs in America and convinced me that we urgently need to restructure many of them.

Harvard Business Review

"Jim has really shaped my thinking and this administration's strategy over the past several years, and I am thrilled he's going to help take my philanthropic work to new heights," Mr. Bloomberg said in a statement.

The New York Times

It mixes personal reflections with recollections of the extraordinary New Zealanders who shaped my thinking as a graduate student and beginning researcher — people who have had an enduring impact on my work and career as an econometrician.

Yale University

"I watched way too much Star Trek, to the extent that I could remember episodes by heart," he recalls with a laugh, "and I deeply believe now that shaped my thinking.

The Guardian - Tech

In both of those situations — one on Wall Street, the other in Washington — I drew from Professor Demos's philosophy class and the existentialist lessons from the coffeehouses, which shaped my thinking on how to make decisions and helped me build a durable sense of remove and perspective.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

These identities shape my thinking as a woman, and I wonder, did La Virgen ever think the way I think?

Huffington Post

The goal was to help me shape my thinking about what I could do professionally now.

Harvard Business Review

It's this background that shapes my thinking on sustainability and how you reconcile different needs and views.

The Guardian

Probably the most important choice they did to shape my thinking about the world was they gave me an education in a European school in Brussels, which was really an international school.

University of California, Berkeley

That philosophy was later echoed in my work with the Virtue Foundation and helped shape my thinking". At Cornell as an undergraduate government major, she volunteered at a nonprofit organization, now called the Women's Opportunity Center, where she helped unemployed women prepare to get jobs.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shaped my thinking", be specific about what exactly influenced your thought process. Providing context adds clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "shaped my thinking" without providing specific examples or details. Simply stating that something shaped your thinking without explaining how can weaken your argument and leave the reader questioning the depth of your analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shaped my thinking" functions as a declarative statement expressing how a particular event, idea, or person has influenced someone's cognitive processes. It is often used to provide context or explain one's current perspective, and Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

23%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shaped my thinking" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express how something has influenced your perspective. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and business. To use the phrase effectively, be specific about the influencing factor to provide clarity and impact. While alternatives like "influenced my perspective" or "molded my mindset" exist, "shaped my thinking" suggests a more fundamental and formative impact on one's cognitive processes. Remember to avoid overgeneralization and always provide context for a more meaningful statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

influenced my perspective

Focuses on the influence on one's viewpoint.

molded my mindset

Highlights the formation of one's overall attitude or way of thinking.

impacted my viewpoint

Emphasizes the effect on one's point of view.

affected my understanding

Concentrates on the influence on one's comprehension.

guided my beliefs

Indicates direction or influence on one's convictions.

informed my opinion

Highlights how something provided information that led to a specific view.

oriented my approach

Focuses on how something has directed one's method or strategy.

colored my judgment

Implies that something has subtly influenced one's decision-making.

steered my interpretation

Suggests a guiding influence on how something is understood.

fashioned my outlook

Emphasizes the way an experience or education has formed one's general perspective on life.

FAQs

How can I use "shaped my thinking" in a sentence?

You can use "shaped my thinking" to describe how an experience, person, or idea has influenced your perspective. For example, "Reading philosophy books has "shaped my thinking" about ethics".

What are some alternatives to "shaped my thinking"?

Alternatives include "influenced my perspective", "molded my mindset", or "affected my understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "shaped my thinking" or "influenced my thinking"?

Both phrases are correct and often interchangeable. "Shaped my thinking" suggests a more formative and fundamental influence, while "influenced my thinking" can imply a more subtle or temporary effect.

What's the difference between "shaped my thinking" and "changed my mind"?

"Shaped my thinking" suggests a gradual and profound impact on one's overall thought processes, while "changed my mind" implies a specific shift in opinion or belief about a particular issue.