thinking outside the box

USAGE SUMMARY

"thinking outside the box" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is often used to describe a way of approaching something from a different perspective or with a more creative mindset. For example, "We need to come up with a solution to this problem. Let's forget the conventional methods and try to think outside the box."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

And that's thinking outside the box.

The New York Times - Magazine

Thinking outside the box is important, too.

The New Yorker

"She was always thinking outside the box.

The Guardian - Film

It inspires thinking outside the box.

The Guardian

Corbyn may be thinking outside the box.

The Guardian

Instead Mee is thinking outside the box.

The Guardian

"We're thinking outside the box," she said.

The New York Times

The trick here is thinking outside the box.

The New York Times

Now, he added, "men are thinking outside the box".

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Enron is a new-economy company, a thinking-outside-the-box, paradigm-shifting, market-making company.

The New York Times

The Wii U is not thinking-outside-the-box.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging innovation, use "thinking outside the box" to signal a need for unconventional ideas. But be prepared to support those ideas, as they may challenge established norms.

Common error

While "thinking outside the box" is widely understood, overuse can diminish its impact. Instead of relying on the cliché, try prompting for specific creative solutions or alternative perspectives to keep the discussion fresh.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thinking outside the box" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily used as a verb phrase to describe the act of approaching a problem or situation with creativity and innovation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Thinking outside the box" is a very common idiomatic expression used to describe creative and unconventional problem-solving. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to be mindful of overuse, as it can come across as cliché. Alternative phrases such as ""innovative thinking"" or ""adopting a fresh perspective"" may be more appropriate in formal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media but is also used in Science, Encyclopedias and Wiki articles. When using this phrase, the key is to encourage genuine creativity and support the unconventional ideas that may arise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

innovative thinking

Focuses on the novelty and originality of the thought process.

creative problem-solving

Highlights the application of creativity to resolve issues.

adopting a fresh perspective

Emphasizes a new or different viewpoint.

approaching unconventionally

Stresses the departure from standard methods.

using lateral thinking

Emphasizes an indirect and creative approach to problem-solving.

imagining new possibilities

Highlights the act of envisioning alternative scenarios.

challenging the status quo

Implies questioning and changing existing norms.

employing ingenuity

Focuses on cleverness and resourcefulness.

developing original ideas

Emphasizes the generation of new concepts.

exploring uncharted territory

Highlights venturing into unknown or unexplored areas.

FAQs

How can I use "thinking outside the box" in a sentence?

You can use "thinking outside the box" to encourage creative problem-solving, as in "To find a solution, we need to start "thinking outside the box"".

What's a less common alternative to "thinking outside the box"?

Alternatives include "adopting a fresh perspective", "challenging the status quo", or "using lateral thinking", depending on the context.

Is "thinking outside the box" formal or informal?

While widely used, "thinking outside the box" leans toward the informal side. In formal settings, consider alternatives like "innovative thinking" or "creative problem-solving".

When is it appropriate to use "thinking outside the box"?

It's appropriate when you want to encourage creativity and suggest approaching a problem in a new or unconventional way. However, be mindful of overuse, as it can sound cliché.