thread of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"thread of thought" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the continuous mental process of reasoning from one idea to another, or the idea that a thought is connected through a line of logic or reasoning. For example: "As Sarah discussed the pros and cons of the new policy, it was easy to see her thread of thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

With that same thread of thought, I had another success.

The New York Times - Food

Companies that I've been directly involved with, or other people's companies that I've advertised for, have a similar thread of thought through them.

The Guardian

Not least, the thread of thought I want to track down and record in writing plays out smoothly and I can follow it.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Following the same thread of thoughts, the article concludes that the government should intervene giving companies tax incentives to pay employees more.

Huffington Post

A lot of writers get their ideas for books from daydreaming, it opens a thread of thoughts where you can picture scenes or characters who want to come up with.

WikiHow

She drifts in and out of threads of thought.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In general, there are two independent threads of thought that motivate non-rationalism about the epistemology of modality.

SEP

Shut down all other threads of thought.

WikiHow

Ultimately these threads of thought-of technology, of Islam, of reconciliation-precipitated into a feeling that evoked in me a decision in how I should act in a given situation: perhaps a crude definition for one elementary, but foundational angle in viewing the concept of what is religion.

Huffington Post

As I've become physically clumsy this past week, so, too, I can't seem to speak without faltering, or losing the thread of my thought.

The New Yorker

That term traces a thread of conservative thought that argues that the United States must seize its moment of dominance not just to secure its vital interests, but to make democracy and capitalism the permanent global order.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thread of thought" to emphasize a logical connection between ideas, creating a sense of continuity and coherence in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "thread of thought" when describing a random, unstructured flow of ideas. "Thread of thought" implies a degree of logical connection, unlike the free-flowing nature of stream of consciousness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thread of thought" functions as a noun phrase that refers to a connected and logical sequence of ideas. Ludwig AI highlights its usage in various contexts, signifying its role in describing coherent reasoning and intellectual pursuits.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thread of thought" is a noun phrase that denotes a coherent and logical progression of ideas. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and suitable for use across various writing styles, from news articles to academic papers. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. While not extremely common, understanding its meaning and appropriate usage ensures clarity and precision in your writing. When seeking alternatives, consider "train of thought" or "line of reasoning" to convey similar ideas with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

train of thought

Highlights the sequential flow of ideas as they pass through one's mind.

strand of thought

Similar to "thread", but emphasizes a single, distinct idea or component within a larger thought process.

chain of reasoning

Stresses the interconnectedness of ideas, where each point builds upon the previous one.

line of reasoning

Focuses on the logical sequence of arguments, emphasizing the rational progression of ideas.

course of reasoning

Emphasizes the path or direction that thought takes as it unfolds.

mental pathway

Emphasizes the route or channel that thoughts follow in the brain.

stream of consciousness

Refers to the continuous flow of thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the mind.

intellectual trajectory

Focuses on the direction and development of thought over time.

cognitive process

A broader term encompassing various mental activities, including thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving.

intellectual pursuit

Highlights the deliberate and focused effort to explore and develop a particular line of thinking.

FAQs

What's the difference between "thread of thought" and "train of thought"?

While both phrases refer to a sequence of related ideas, "thread of thought" emphasizes the logical connection between the ideas, whereas "train of thought" simply highlights the sequential progression of thoughts through the mind.

How can I use "thread of thought" in a sentence?

You can use "thread of thought" to describe a continuous mental process of reasoning from one idea to another. For example, "Following the speaker's thread of thought, it became clear how each point supported their overall argument."

What are some alternatives to "thread of thought"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "line of reasoning", "strand of thought", or "chain of reasoning".

Is it appropriate to use "thread of thought" in formal writing?

Yes, "thread of thought" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a common phrase used to describe the logical progression of ideas in a clear and concise manner.