think distinctly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "think distinctly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when encouraging someone to have clear and separate thoughts or ideas, often in a context where clarity is important. Example: "In order to solve this complex problem, we need to think distinctly about each component involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, in our experience, many scientists think distinctly about the input and the reference data in their project; a common pattern is to put input data into a different folder in the file system and not to mix it with reference data files.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Lurie was working on Byron at the time of his disgrace, and the irony is not particularly subtle that he comes to grief from an escapade that Byron would have thought distinctly timid.

The Guardian - Books

Akka, a regular and knowledgeable contributor to the below-the-line life of the Guardian's classical reviews, also turned up on Andrew Clements' review of Donald Runnicles's (mis)handling of Strauss's Four Last Songs, which the reviewer thought "distinctly unradiant" (and Akka "a car crash").

The Guardian - Music

Clearly, some essential prerequisites for development of multicellular organisms and cell differentiation originated earlier than previously thought, distinctly before the origin of the animal kingdom and choanoflagellates.

Plosone

It might be thought distinctly strange to consider obtaining 'consent' or 'authorisation' from a person for an autopsy to be performed upon them at some unknown future time and mandating that such a decision would necessarily lead to an autopsy being performed, as an expression of the "primacy of autonomy of the individual", despite the objections of surviving family members.

Critical Care

Asymmetry and specialization of the brain's hemispheres were once thought be distinctly human traits, but primates and other animals possess them as well.

Huffington Post

The Conference on Inclusive Capitalism is the brainchild of the Henry Jackson Society (HJS), a little-known but influential British think tank with distinctly neoconservative and xenophobic leanings.

The Guardian

One last thought, though: seeing my taste profile made me think about the distinctly un-rock'n'roll issue of data portability.

The Guardian - Tech

For the week of July 4th, we asked writers to describe a person, object, or experience that they think captures a distinctly American spirit.

The New Yorker

There are all sorts of things that people think of as "distinctly Belfast" – and most of them are about architecture, geography and, of course, history.

The Guardian

We'd ask each other, "Where is everyone?" There was a particular car I soon came to think of as distinctly St. Louis-ish: a gigantic white S.U.V. with a W. bumper sticker on it for George W. Bush.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "think distinctly" to encourage structured and methodical thought, especially when dealing with complex or multifaceted issues. This emphasizes the need to address each aspect separately before synthesizing them.

Common error

Avoid using "distinctly" when you mean "distinctively". "Distinctly" refers to clarity or separation in thought, while "distinctively" refers to something having a unique or characteristic quality. For example, it's correct to say, "think distinctly about each option," but use "distinctively" when describing something like, "a distinctively American style".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think distinctly" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb "think". It describes the manner in which the action of thinking is performed, emphasizing clarity and separation of ideas. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "think distinctly" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that encourages clear and separate thought. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it appears in a variety of contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic content. It's important to use "distinctly" to refer to clarity, not "distinctively" which refers to uniqueness. When aiming for clarity and separation in your thought process, "think distinctly" is a suitable choice, promoting a methodical approach to complex issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

think clearly

Focuses on the clarity of thought rather than the separateness or uniqueness.

think separately

Emphasizes the act of considering things apart from each other.

think uniquely

Highlights the originality of the thought process.

think lucidly

Similar to "think clearly", but with a stronger emphasis on coherence and understanding.

think independently

Stresses the freedom from external influence in the thought process.

think incisively

Focuses on the sharpness and directness of the thinking.

think profoundly

Emphasizes the depth and significance of the thought.

think critically

Highlights the analytical aspect of thinking.

reason distinctly

Replaces "think" with "reason", emphasizing a logical process.

perceive distinctly

Shifts focus to perception rather than thought, emphasizing clarity of understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "think distinctly" in a sentence?

You can use "think distinctly" to emphasize the need for clear and separate thoughts, especially when dealing with multiple elements. For instance, "In order to solve this complex problem, we need to think distinctly about each component involved."

What are some alternatives to "think distinctly"?

Alternatives include "think clearly", "think separately", or "think uniquely", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "think distinctly" or "think distinctively"?

"Think distinctly" and "think distinctively" have different meanings. "Think distinctly" refers to thinking in a clear, separate manner, while "think distinctively" implies thinking in a unique or characteristic way. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use the phrase "think distinctly"?

The phrase "think distinctly" is most appropriate in situations where clarity and separation of thought are crucial, such as problem-solving, data analysis, or strategic planning. It suggests a deliberate effort to consider each aspect individually.