stimulate reflection

USAGE SUMMARY

"stimulate reflection" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to encourage someone to think deeper and consider new ideas. For example, "The teacher asked thought-provoking questions to stimulate reflection in the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

By stimulating debate on the pervasiveness of ageism, we hope to stimulate reflection and discussion among journalists and economists as to whether or not they are fulfilling their professional ethical imperatives of balance and justice when reporting on one of the most extraordinary social changes of the past century—our increased longevity.

British Medical Journal

The finding that students rarely re-watched their own videos but did regularly watch the videos of their peers supports the theory that while they are using other students' video blogs to stimulate reflection, they require some assistance to help them see the value in reflecting critically on their own blogs.

Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy

"Television for the direct message, cinema to stimulate reflection and to disquiet".

The New York Times

Ms. Lee's vocal reserve complements her delicate playing on songs that stimulate reflection as well as dancing.

The New York Times

Under Mr. Enwezor, Documenta has sought to stimulate reflection on art, politics and society across the world through four "platforms," a kind of town meeting for people interested in art, held over the past 18 months in Europe, India, the Caribbean and Africa.

The New York Times - Arts

Not all the author's opinions will be accepted, but his hope is to stimulate reflection, discussion, and planning.

International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

It may also stimulate reflections for wine and other spirit companies for their business in the two markets.

Wine Economics and Policy

The conversations and questions about extinction revealed that the "paleontological" experience was suitable to stimulate reflections on the "potential," not "willingness" or "obligation" of evolutionary change and to appreciate the explanations provided by evolutionary theory.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

And a new mode of thinking created in a different domain of life allowed one to perceive, distinguish, and describe it in a way which would stimulate reflections of others those participating in revolutionary social changes as well.

SEP

It stimulated reflection and helped them to look at their teaching in a more structured way.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

According to Schön [ 11, 12] a complex, challenging context best stimulates reflection.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "stimulate reflection" with specific methods or contexts to clarify how reflection is being encouraged (e.g., "stimulate reflection through group discussion" or "stimulate reflection on personal values").

Common error

While "stimulate reflection" is a valid phrase, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "make you think" or "get you pondering" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stimulate reflection" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of prompting or encouraging deeper thought and consideration. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to encourage someone to think deeper and consider new ideas. The examples on Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts to describe actions designed to provoke thought.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stimulate reflection" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for describing the act of encouraging deeper thought and consideration. Ludwig AI indicates that it's best used when aiming to prompt new insights and perspectives. While "stimulate reflection" appears most commonly in scientific contexts, it also finds use in news and media, as well as formal business settings. It is considered appropriate for formal writing and speaking, conveying a deliberate effort to provoke thoughtful analysis. For less formal situations, consider alternative expressions. As Ludwig's examples show, the phrase often appears in discussions of education, art, and personal development, making it a versatile tool for those seeking to encourage thoughtful engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encourage contemplation

Focuses more on individual thought, less on external stimuli.

prompt introspection

Emphasizes self-examination and inner awareness.

foster thoughtfulness

Highlights the development of a thoughtful mindset.

inspire consideration

Implies a more general influence leading to consideration.

trigger contemplation

Suggests a sudden start to the reflective process.

catalyze introspection

Highlights acting as a catalyst for self-examination.

motivate rumination

Suggests encouraging deep, sometimes prolonged, thought.

initiate reflection

Focuses on beginning the process of reflection.

provoke thought

Emphasizes causing or eliciting thought.

spark consideration

Implies igniting a process of thoughtful evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "stimulate reflection" in a sentence?

You can use "stimulate reflection" to describe actions or tools that encourage deep thought. For example, "The thought-provoking documentary aimed to "stimulate reflection" on social injustice."

What are some synonyms for "stimulate reflection"?

Alternatives to "stimulate reflection" include "encourage contemplation", "prompt introspection", or "foster thoughtfulness", each with slightly different nuances.

Is it appropriate to use "stimulate reflection" in formal writing?

Yes, "stimulate reflection" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic, scientific, or business contexts, where a precise and sophisticated tone is desired.

What's the difference between "stimulate reflection" and "encourage reflection"?

"Stimulate reflection" implies actively prompting or triggering deeper thought, whereas "encourage reflection" suggests providing support or creating a favorable environment for reflection. The former is more direct, while the latter is more supportive.