thought crimes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thought crimes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions about the concept of criminalizing thoughts or beliefs, often in a dystopian or philosophical context. Example: "In the novel, the government punishes citizens for thought crimes, enforcing conformity through fear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

There are no thought crimes.

The New York Times - Magazine

No alt-right dissident has been jailed for thought crimes.

The New Yorker

Soon the local committees charged with enforcing the Continental Association patrolled for thought crimes, too.

The New Yorker

"Informing in a country where thought crimes are criminal is one thing," said Charles Fried, a law professor at Harvard.

The New York Times

We should now be asking whether we have entered an Orwellian world of "thought crimes" and "Big Brother".

The Guardian - Opinion

Our mid-level bureaucrats are more likely to face early redundancy for their thought crimes than Room 101.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Let's consider, instead, if he was tried for hate crime, or thought crime.

The Guardian - Opinion

Only 28% thought crime was increasing in the area where they lived, down from 54% in 2002-03 (see first chart).

The Economist

Personally, I've always thought crime fiction is the best kind of literature.

The Guardian - Books

And yet, narcissism has become a thought crime, and narcissists are on the defensive.

The Guardian - Opinion

Conservatives thought crime was a matter of individual responsibility and that campaigns against discrimination were so much political correctness.Today the public distinguishes clearly between personal lifestyle issues, where they are liberal, and crime, where they are definitely not.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thought crimes" to discuss the dangers of governments or entities controlling personal beliefs and ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "thought crimes" to describe situations where someone is being punished for actions motivated by their beliefs. "Thought crimes" specifically refers to the punishment of the thought itself, not the consequences of acting on it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought crimes" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to the concept of illegal or criminal thoughts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable and understandable in written English, especially in dystopian contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thought crimes" refers to the concept of criminalizing thoughts or beliefs, often in a dystopian context. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. It's frequently used in News & Media. When using "thought crimes", ensure the context clearly indicates that thoughts themselves are being penalized, not just actions resulting from those thoughts. Consider using alternatives like "criminalization of thought" or "illegal beliefs" to fine-tune the meaning. The key is to distinguish between punishing the thought itself versus actions influenced by that thought.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

criminal thoughts

Directly describes thoughts that are considered criminal.

criminalization of thought

Focuses on the act of making thoughts illegal, rather than the result.

punishing thoughts

Highlights the action of penalizing individuals for their thoughts.

unlawful thinking

Emphasizes the illegality of the thought process itself.

illegal beliefs

Emphasizes the unlawful nature of holding certain beliefs.

cognitive offenses

Uses a more formal, technical term to describe mental wrongdoing.

thought policing

Refers to the act of monitoring and controlling people's thoughts.

ideological persecution

Indicates oppression based on one's beliefs or ideology.

belief-based offenses

Describes crimes that are predicated on a person's beliefs.

internal offenses

Highlights that the crime exists within the mind.

FAQs

What does "thought crimes" mean?

"Thought crimes" refers to the concept of criminalizing a person's thoughts or beliefs, typically in a dystopian or oppressive setting. It's about punishing the thought itself, not necessarily actions resulting from it.

How can I use "thought crimes" in a sentence?

You might say, "The novel explores a society where the government prosecutes citizens for "thought crimes", suppressing any dissenting opinions".

What are some alternatives to "thought crimes"?

Consider using alternatives like "criminalization of thought", "punishing thoughts", or "illegal beliefs", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is the concept of "thought crimes" real?

While no legal system currently punishes pure thought, the term is often used to critique laws or practices that suppress freedom of expression or target individuals based on their beliefs. The concept is more frequently explored in fiction, such as in Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four.