thought which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thought which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific thought or idea that is being elaborated upon or explained. Example: "The thought which crossed my mind was that we should reconsider our approach to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I thought one other thought, which gave me a sneaking regard for the Wicked Witch: I couldn't stand Toto!

The New Yorker

"We thought to influence conservative thought, which we succeeded in doing," he said.

The New York Times

Norris says that all thought exhibits a certain structure – formal thought, which is the act of thinking, and objective thought, which is the object of the thinking.

SEP

This might require some thought, which is a drawback, because thought only gets in the way of writing bestsellers.

Huffington Post

"It's a thought which is always with us".

The New York Times

Holmes: Another thought, which is less about the institution.

The New York Times - Magazine

A sobering thought, which some Europeans might well dispute.

The New York Times

Then she caught herself with a philosophical thought, which seems to be a rarity among haulers.

The New York Times

It is a thought which appals them as nothing else could.

The Economist

Glasner makes the case in terms of history of thought, which is fine.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

According to Kalupahana, Buddhaghosa was influenced by Mahayana-thought, which were subtly mixed with Theravada orthodoxy to introduce new ideas.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thought which" when you want to add extra information or clarification about a specific idea that has already been mentioned or is about to be explained. For example, "The central "thought which" motivates this research is the need for sustainable energy solutions."

Common error

Avoid using "thought which" in simple sentences where a more direct phrasing would be clearer and more concise. For instance, instead of saying "This is the "thought which" I had", you could simply say "This is what I thought" or "This is my thought."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought which" primarily functions as a relative clause marker, introducing additional information or clarification about a preceding noun ("thought"). As shown by Ludwig, this construction is often used to expand upon or provide context to a specific idea or concept.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thought which" is a versatile phrase used to introduce relative clauses that elaborate on a preceding noun. It’s grammatically correct and, according to Ludwig, frequently found in news, media, and scientific writing. While effective for adding detail and clarity, it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy in simpler sentences. Alternatives like "idea that" or "notion that" offer simpler ways to express similar concepts. Remember to use "thought which" strategically to enhance understanding without sacrificing conciseness. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity and provides ample examples for reference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

idea that

Replaces "thought" with "idea", focusing on the concept itself rather than the mental process.

notion that

Substitutes "thought" with "notion", emphasizing a belief or opinion.

concept that

Uses "concept" instead of "thought", highlighting an abstract idea or general understanding.

consideration that

Employs "consideration" to suggest something being taken into account or pondered.

belief that

Replaces "thought" with "belief", indicating a conviction or acceptance of something as true.

perception that

Uses "perception" to emphasize an awareness or understanding gained through the senses or intuition.

impression that

Substitutes "thought" with "impression", highlighting a feeling or idea formed from an experience.

understanding that

Employs "understanding" to suggest a grasp of the meaning or nature of something.

viewpoint that

Replaces "thought" with "viewpoint", emphasizing a particular perspective or way of considering something.

opinion that

Uses "opinion" instead of "thought", highlighting a personal judgment or belief.

FAQs

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

Use "thought which" to introduce a relative clause that provides more detail or explanation about a specific thought. For example, "The initial "thought which" sparked this project was a simple question: how can we improve access to education?"

Are there alternatives to using "thought which"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "idea that", "notion that", or "concept that" depending on the specific context and meaning you want to convey.

Is "thought that" grammatically different from "thought which"?

While both can be used, "thought which" is generally used to introduce non-restrictive relative clauses that add extra information, whereas "thought that" can be used for restrictive clauses essential to the sentence's meaning. However, in modern usage, "thought which" is more common for adding detail.

When is it better to use "thought which" instead of a simpler construction?

Use "thought which" when you need to elaborate on or clarify a specific thought, making it clear that you are providing additional, non-essential information. This is particularly useful in formal writing or when the thought needs precise definition.