thinking behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thinking behind" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means the reasoning or motivation behind something. You can use it when discussing the thought process or intentions of someone or something. Example: The architect explained the thinking behind his design, emphasizing the importance of natural light and sustainability.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was the thinking behind Miss Lily's.

The New York Times

This is the thinking behind Biosense.

The Guardian

The project's creators explain the thinking behind it.

The Guardian

What do you reckon they're thinking behind the grimaces?

The Guardian - Sport

Although the rules were plain enough, the thinking behind them required leaps of faith.

The New York Times

Q: thinking behind people search.

TechCrunch

What's the thinking behind that?

Forbes

What's the thinking behind your involvement with Gaia?

Forbes

Forbes.com: What's the thinking behind the Virsa deal?

Forbes

The thinking behind social games is not unlike the thinking behind television.

TechCrunch

This is the thinking behind public-key cryptography.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thinking behind" when you want to explain the reasons, motivations, or logic that led to a particular decision, strategy, or design. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "thinking behind" when referring to purely physical causes or effects. It is best suited for situations involving deliberate intent or reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thinking behind" functions as a noun modifier, specifying the reasoning, motivation, or philosophy that underlies a particular action, decision, or concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and widespread.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thinking behind" is a versatile and widely used expression to explore the underlying reasons or motivations behind various actions, decisions, or concepts. Grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun modifier and appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with strong representation in academia and business. When you want to know 'the why' of any particular thing, "thinking behind" is there for the rescue.

For alternative expressions, consider options such as "rationale for", "reasoning behind", or "motivation for" to suit different levels of formality. Avoid using "thinking behind" to refer physical causes; this expression aims to explain the reasons and motivations about deliberate intent or reasoning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rationale for

Focuses on the logical reasons or justification for something.

reasoning behind

Highlights the logical process used to arrive at a conclusion or decision.

motivation for

Emphasizes the driving force or incentive behind an action or decision.

purpose of

Focuses on the intended outcome or goal of something.

basis for

Indicates the foundation or underlying principle upon which something is based.

underlying cause

Highlights the fundamental reason that produces a certain effect.

intentions behind

Stresses the planned or desired outcome that someone hopes to achieve.

principles guiding

Focuses on the fundamental rules or beliefs that influence a decision or action.

the why

A more informal way of asking for the reason or motivation.

the impetus

Emphasizes what drove or encouraged the action.

FAQs

How can I use "thinking behind" in a sentence?

You can use "thinking behind" to explore the reasoning behind a decision. For example, "The article delves into the "thinking behind" the new economic policy".

What's a formal alternative to "thinking behind"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "rationale for", "reasoning behind", or "motivation for", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "the thinking behind" grammatically correct?

Yes, "the thinking behind" is grammatically correct and commonly used to refer to the ideas, reasons, or logic that support a particular action or decision.

What is the difference between "thinking behind" and "idea behind"?

"Thinking behind" encompasses the broader reasoning and motivations, while "idea behind" typically refers to the core concept or initial inspiration.