sustained reflection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustained reflection" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to deep and continuous thought or contemplation on a topic or idea. Example: Through sustained reflection, the protagonist was able to gain a deeper understanding of her actions and the impact they had on others.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Safeguarding the contribution of expertise to policymaking won't be achieved through a war of words, but through sustained reflection on the changing practices of academic impact.

The Guardian

The genre allows writer and reader a holiday from complex structure and sustained reflection; cleverness generally does better on its pages than brilliance.

The New Yorker

4. FRANK OCEAN "Channel Orange" (Def Jam) A sustained reflection on love, longing and entitlement from one of the most distinctive young songwriters in R&B, and one of the most empathic singers.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. LuPone plays the highlight reel and the blooper reel essentially in straightforward chronological order, writing of roles and rehearsals and openings and closings in a style unadorned by felicitous phrasing or sustained reflection.

The New York Times - Books

Suppose people generally prefer an assembly of good things of different kinds to a bigger collection of good things of the same kind, and suppose this preference for diversity in good things can survive sustained reflection and scrutiny by people across time and culture, then, diversity in good things is of itself also a good thing.

SEP

The Brexit debacle meant we were allowed little if any cathartic release from his finally fucking off, and no period of sustained reflection about what the Cameron years meant.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

But there are two places where the student of medieval mereology can reliably look to find sustained reflections on parts and wholes as such, namely, treatments of division and the Topics.

SEP

In other words, the power of the symbol resides in its ability to reveal that, unbeknown to ourselves, we are in communion with something much larger than ourselves, that is, horizons of meaning which implicitly sustain reflection and which can, when made explicit, bring us to think quite differently of ourselves.

SEP

Yet because Socrates links his discussion of personal justice to an account of justice in the city and makes claims about how good and bad cities are arranged, the Republic sustains reflections on political questions, as well.

SEP

But in using mainly the verbal form in referring to our ability to feel into various things they do not treat such an ability as a topic that is worthy of sustained philosophical reflection and analysis.

SEP

For example, educators in an Australian study were reported to have exercised a collective 'ethic of resistance' to dominant regulatory discourses (Fenech et al. 2010, 96), through sustained critical reflection on practice.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sustained reflection" to describe processes that involve deep and continuous thought, rather than quick or superficial analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "sustained reflection" when simpler terms like "thinking" or "consideration" suffice. The phrase is best suited for contexts where prolonged and in-depth contemplation is implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustained reflection" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "sustained" modifies the noun "reflection". It describes a process or activity involving prolonged and deep thought. Ludwig AI shows examples in various contexts, confirming its use to depict thoughtful contemplation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sustained reflection" is a grammatically correct and meaningful phrase used to describe prolonged and in-depth thought. Ludwig AI examples show its frequent use in academic, scientific, and journalistic contexts. While "sustained reflection" isn't incorrect, it's important to use it when a simple and direct contemplation process is at stake, and it can be replaced with alternatives like "prolonged contemplation" or "deep introspection" in different contexts. Remember that "sustained reflection" conveys an idea of duration and depth, and remember to apply the proper register in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prolonged contemplation

Replaces "reflection" with "contemplation" emphasizing deep thought over a period.

deep introspection

Substitutes "reflection" with "introspection" highlighting self-examination.

extended consideration

Emphasizes the duration of the act of thinking about something.

lengthy deliberation

Focuses on the careful and thorough nature of the thought process.

continuous rumination

Implies a more cyclical and repetitive thinking process.

thoughtful meditation

Highlights the meditative quality of the reflection.

intensive contemplation

Replaces "sustained" with "intensive", suggesting a more focused and concentrated effort.

persistent musing

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the reflective thought.

enduring self-analysis

Shifts the focus to a long-lasting process of self-examination.

consistent thoughtfulness

Highlights the constant quality of being thoughtful and reflective.

FAQs

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

"Sustained reflection" can be used to describe a period of deep thought. For example, "The project required "sustained reflection" on ethical implications".

What are some alternatives to "sustained reflection"?

Alternatives include "prolonged contemplation", "deep introspection", or "extended consideration" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sustained reflection" formal or informal?

"Sustained reflection" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, or literary contexts. Simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal settings.

What is the difference between "sustained reflection" and "fleeting thought"?

"Sustained reflection" implies a prolonged and deep consideration of a topic, whereas "fleeting thought" refers to a brief and passing idea. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum of cognitive engagement.