stream of consciousness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stream of consciousness" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to refer to a style of writing in which the thoughts and perceptions of the narrator are presented as they occur in a continuous, uninterrupted flow. For example: In her latest novel, the author captures the protagonist's stream of consciousness as she navigates her way through a surreal and disorienting dreamscape.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Literature

Psychology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Brand's style is stream of consciousness.

The New York Times - Books

It'll just be a stream of consciousness.

The Guardian - Sport

They are in like a stream of consciousness".

The New York Times

"Day" traces no single arc or stream of consciousness.

The New York Times - Arts

A long segment of a stream of consciousness.

The New Yorker

The form is stream of consciousness, with minimal punctuation.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Call it stream-of-consciousness shopping.

The New York Times

Puttering is small-scale, stream-of-consciousness problem-solving.

The New York Times

It's a stream-of-consciousness narrative, almost Joycean.

The New Yorker

Just daily stream-of-consciousness writing from the gut.

The New York Times

His answer had a stream-of-consciousness quality to it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the "stream of consciousness" technique in writing, ensure a balance between capturing unfiltered thoughts and maintaining reader comprehension. Use subtle cues to guide the reader through shifts in perspective or topic.

Common error

While the goal is to mimic unfiltered thought, avoid letting the "stream of consciousness" become overly verbose or disjointed. Keep the narrative focused and relevant to the overall story or argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stream of consciousness" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes the continuous flow of thoughts and sensations within an individual's mind or a literary technique that mimics this process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Arts

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stream of consciousness" is a noun phrase that describes the continuous flow of thoughts and feelings in the mind or a literary style that mimics this. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It frequently appears in news media, encyclopedias, and artistic discussions, with a neutral formality. When using the "stream of consciousness" technique in writing, balance unfiltered thoughts with reader comprehension and avoid excessive rambling. Alternatives include "flow of consciousness" or "interior monologue". The term is widely used and understood, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary for describing mental processes or literary techniques.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flow of consciousness

Focuses on the continuous and uninterrupted nature of conscious experience.

river of consciousness

Emphasizes the fluid and ever-changing quality of thoughts.

interior monologue

Highlights the internal, self-reflective aspect of the character's thoughts.

inner thoughts

A more general term for the thoughts and feelings within a person's mind.

train of thought

Refers to the sequence of thoughts connected by a common theme or idea.

thought process

Describes the mental activity involved in thinking and reasoning.

conscious experience

Focuses on the overall awareness and perception of oneself and the world.

internal narrative

Highlights the storytelling aspect of inner thoughts and experiences.

free association

Emphasizes the spontaneous and unconstrained flow of thoughts and ideas.

mental flow

A more concise term for the continuous movement of thoughts and feelings.

FAQs

How is "stream of consciousness" used in literature?

In literature, "stream of consciousness" is a narrative technique that presents the flow of thoughts, feelings, and sensations of a character. It often involves a lack of conventional punctuation or grammar to mimic the way thoughts occur in the mind.

What are some examples of literature using "stream of consciousness"?

Examples include James Joyce's Ulysses, Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway, and William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. These works use internal monologues and fragmented sentences to capture the characters' thoughts.

How does "interior monologue" relate to "stream of consciousness"?

Interior monologue is a technique used within stream of consciousness writing, representing a character's inner thoughts. However, stream of consciousness is broader, including sensations and perceptions in addition to thoughts.

What is the difference between "stream of consciousness" and "train of thought"?

"Stream of consciousness" aims to capture the entirety of a character's unfiltered mental experience, while "train of thought" refers to a specific sequence of connected ideas. Stream of consciousness is a literary style, and train of thought is just a normal cognitive process.