trouble thinking clearly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trouble thinking clearly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a situation where someone is having difficulty processing thoughts or making decisions. Example: "After the long meeting, I found myself having trouble thinking clearly." Alternative expressions include "difficulty concentrating" and "struggling to think straight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Bureaucracies have trouble thinking clearly.

The New York Times - Books

What must life be like for those who, in addition to living on the street, hear voices, suffer paranoid delusions, or have trouble thinking clearly or talking to others.

University of Pennsylvania

"If you have the combination of Parkinson-ism and visual hallucinations, and the person is having trouble thinking clearly, that's an instance where you make a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia with great confidence," he said.

HuffPost

What you feel: Fatigued, stiff, chilly all the time, bummed-out, backed-up from your head to your bowels (you have trouble thinking clearly, using the bathroom regularly, and your period is off) and maybe a little puffy (your face or other body parts may seem a little swollen).

Huffington Post

Do you have trouble thinking clearly?

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

Factor loadings ranged from 0.34 (item 2: 'I have diarrhoea', loading on the physical symptoms and impairments domain) to 0.90 (item 22: 'I have trouble thinking clearly', loading on the cognitive symptoms and impairments domain).

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Stressed out employees have trouble focusing, thinking clearly, and making rational decisions.

Forbes

In both datasets, the item with the highest mean was item 1 ("How often have you had trouble with thinking clearly or had memory problems?"), which had a mean of 1.3 in the training dataset and 1.5 in the test dataset.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

You get tired easily, feel sluggish, you have trouble concentrating or thinking clearly, your body aches, you have trouble sleeping and you may even have digestive problems.

Huffington Post

I think you're thinking clearly about future work.

Forbes

She was not thinking clearly — having trouble with numbers, forgetting things she had just heard.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing cognitive difficulties, provide specific examples or context to clarify the nature and extent of the problem. For instance, instead of just saying someone has "trouble thinking clearly", specify whether they struggle with memory, decision-making, or concentration.

Common error

Do not use "trouble thinking clearly" as a catch-all term for various cognitive issues. Be specific about the type of cognitive impairment, such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or problems with problem-solving, to provide a more accurate and informative description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trouble thinking clearly" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating a cognitive difficulty. It describes a state where a person experiences challenges in forming coherent thoughts, processing information, or making decisions. Ludwig AI examples confirm its use in describing symptoms, causes, and effects of impaired cognitive abilities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trouble thinking clearly" is a descriptive phrase indicating cognitive difficulties, commonly used across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI analysis, supported by numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times, Huffington Post and scientific publications, confirms its grammatical correctness and utility in describing cognitive impairments, their causes, and potential remedies. While versatile, it's advisable to provide specific details about the nature of the cognitive challenges to enhance clarity and avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficulty concentrating

Focuses on the inability to maintain attention or focus.

struggling to think straight

Indicates difficulty in logical and coherent thinking.

impaired cognitive function

A more formal and clinical way to describe reduced mental abilities.

mental fog

Describes a state of confusion and reduced mental sharpness.

lack of mental clarity

Highlights the absence of clear and coherent thought processes.

struggling to focus

Emphasizes the effort required to concentrate.

difficulty processing information

Focuses on challenges in understanding and interpreting data.

clouded thinking

Suggests that thoughts are obscured or unclear.

cognitive impairment

A more clinical and general term for reduced mental function.

difficulty with mental acuity

Addresses the problem of low or reduced mental acuteness

FAQs

How can I describe the feeling of not being able to think clearly?

You can use phrases like "mental fog", "clouded thinking", or "difficulty concentrating" to describe the feeling of not being able to think clearly.

What are some potential causes of having "trouble thinking clearly"?

There are many reasons why someone might have "trouble thinking clearly", including stress, sleep deprivation, medical conditions, or medication side effects. If the problem persists, consult a healthcare professional.

What is the difference between "trouble thinking clearly" and "difficulty concentrating"?

While related, "trouble thinking clearly" is a broader term that encompasses various cognitive impairments, whereas "difficulty concentrating" specifically refers to the inability to focus on a task or thought. Someone with "trouble thinking clearly" might also experience memory problems or difficulty with problem-solving, in addition to concentration issues.

Is "trouble thinking clearly" a symptom of a more serious condition?

Yes, "trouble thinking clearly" can be a symptom of various medical conditions, such as infections, neurological disorders, or mental health issues. It's essential to seek medical advice to determine the underlying cause, as confirmed by "lewy body dementia".