succession of thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "succession of thoughts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a series of ideas or reflections that occur one after another in a person's mind. Example: "As I sat in silence, a succession of thoughts flooded my mind, each one leading to the next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Taking weighted steps like someone on a forced march, I lose the beat not only of my feet but also of my succession of thoughts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Such doubting, discursive reasoning and succession of thought prove that all thought is tied to the body since duration and successive extension are nothing but the local movements of the body (OPD 7: 299).

SEP

That's what the worst mom's boyfriend on the planet did the other night, and then in a succession of carefully thought-out motions shot and killed the family's six pets (that's two dogs and four cats).

Vice

The challenge to associationism is to explain how an associative mechanism can give rise to the syntactic structures necessary to distinguish a complex thought like birds fly from the temporal succession of two simple thoughts birds and fly.

SEP

According to the classical empiricist-associationist view, the succession of ideas or images in a train of thought is determined by the laws of association.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What kind of thoughts?

Independent

The first serious attempt to detail associationism as a theory of learning was given by Hume in the Treatise of Human Nature (1738/1975).[4] Hume's associationism was, first and foremost, a theory connecting how perceptions ("Impressions") determined trains of thought (successions of "Ideas").

SEP

From England, Mr. Poppy and Ms. Bardsley will present "Avalanche Thoughts," a multimedia performance installation piece described as "a succession of moments that teeter on the edge of disaster, saturated with willful and erotic thoughts that ease and tempt us into the abyss".

The New York Times

The institutional expression of such views was a succession of changes in the philosophy curriculum that incorporated new authors and new schools of thought such as phenomenology, existentialism, and neo-Thomism.

SEP

His early oils feature a succession of handsome, androgynous boys variously posed as rabbis, gods, acolytes or angels, whose private thoughts are quite clearly not on religion.

The Guardian - Arts

All this creates a web of resonance, suggesting that thoughts, emotions and obsessions may cycle from era to era like a succession of past lives.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "succession of thoughts" to describe a connected series of ideas or reflections, particularly when emphasizing the chronological order or how one thought leads to another. It works well in descriptive writing and analytical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "succession of thoughts" in overly simplistic narratives where the sequence isn't significant. Simpler terms like "thoughts" or "ideas" may suffice if the order isn't crucial to the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "succession of thoughts" functions as a noun phrase that describes a series of thoughts occurring in sequence. This is consistent with Ludwig's examples, which show the phrase used to depict a continuous flow of ideas or reflections.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "succession of thoughts" is a versatile phrase that describes a connected series of ideas or reflections. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and literature. While alternatives like "train of thought" or "stream of consciousness" may offer slightly different nuances, "succession of thoughts" effectively conveys the sequential nature of mental activity. When writing, consider using it in descriptive or analytical contexts where the chronological order of thoughts is significant, and be mindful of avoiding overuse in overly simplistic narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

train of thought

Focuses on the continuous, linear progression of thinking, often highlighting how one idea leads to another.

stream of consciousness

Emphasizes the continuous flow of thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the mind, often without clear direction.

chain of ideas

Highlights the connected nature of ideas, suggesting that each idea links to the next in a sequential manner.

flow of ideas

Focuses on the smooth, uninterrupted movement of thoughts and concepts.

string of thoughts

Implies a sequence of thoughts, often connected but potentially disparate.

sequence of reflections

Emphasizes a structured and ordered set of thoughtful considerations.

series of considerations

Highlights individual thoughts, portraying them as thoughtful, often separate, considerations.

mental progression

Focuses on the onward movement of thought, emphasizing cognitive development.

cognitive cascade

Implies a rapid, flowing series of interconnected thoughts or mental events.

intellectual unfolding

Highlights the gradual development and revelation of ideas through a process of thinking.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "succession of thoughts" in a sentence?

Use "succession of thoughts" to describe a series of ideas or reflections that occur one after another, often in a logical or causal sequence. For instance, "As I listened to the music, a "succession of thoughts" /s/stream+of+consciousness flooded my mind".

What are some alternatives to "succession of thoughts"?

You can use alternatives like "train of thought", "stream of consciousness", or "flow of ideas" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "succession of thoughts" formal or informal?

"Succession of thoughts" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While not overly technical, it carries a slightly more sophisticated tone than simply using "thoughts".

What does "succession of thoughts" imply about the nature of the thoughts?

The phrase "succession of thoughts" implies that the thoughts occur in a sequence, one after another. It emphasizes the linear or chronological aspect of thinking, where each thought may build upon or be influenced by the previous one.