turn of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turn of thought" is not commonly used in written English and may be considered incorrect.
It can be used when discussing a change in perspective or a shift in reasoning, but it is more often expressed as "turn of phrase" or "change of thought." Example: "After much deliberation, there was a noticeable turn of thought in the discussion, leading to a more collaborative approach."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The turn of thought behind the duck-potato mash informs one dish after another, from the chicken dusted in lemon myrtle with a "sausage" of dark meat (actually the leg and thigh skin stuffed with chicken meat, chicken liver, and dried duck-liver sausage) to the sauteed diver scallops served over fresh soybeans, with an accompaniment of dried-shrimp risotto.

The New York Times - Food

I quoted from it at the time — as it turned out, presciently — regarding a bovine turn of thought; it's a particularly freewheeling and revealing interview: In America, sex has always been an especially important theme, that one can only approach in a solemn, pompous way.

The New Yorker

Let anyone take as a specimen the last fifteen pages of the symphony ­– a piece of noble, impressive writing – and say, if he can, where else he has met with the same melody, the same scoring, the same general turn of thought.

The Guardian - Music

Ashkenazi ends up mostly unconvinced of the golem's claims to membership in the Jewish community — but, in a touchingly humane turn of thought, he also acknowledges that a golem is a kind of orphan whose status may well depend on who raises it.

The New Yorker

However, another turn of thought was yet to come.

Applied Water Science

Now, however, he parts ways with them; astrology plays a key role in this turn of thought.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

One of the books' great pleasures is following Reacher's turns of thought.

The New Yorker

"You kept your pockets stuffed with quotations and ideas and turns of thought, famous sayings that you could credit and work into your columns.

The New York Times

The actress Khandi Alexander, who portrays Fran Boyd in the six-part HBO production "The Corner," expresses all those emotions and turns of thought with subtlety and brilliance.

The New Yorker

After 1776 anti-British feelings led some Americans to advocate a fresh legal system, but European laws were diverse, couched in foreign languages having unfamiliar turns of thought, and unavailable in textbook form.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To read his acutely self-conscious, dialectically fevered writing was often to witness the agony of cognition: how the twists and turns of thought can both hold out the promise of true understanding and become a danger to it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turn of thought" when you want to emphasize a specific shift or change in someone's reasoning or perspective. It's best suited for formal writing or when a subtle, thoughtful shift is being described.

Common error

Avoid using "turn of thought" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "change of mind" or "shift in perspective" are often more appropriate and natural in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turn of thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to denote a change or shift in someone's reasoning, perspective, or mindset. Ludwig examples show its use in describing both subtle and significant shifts in thinking.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turn of thought" is a noun phrase used to describe a shift in reasoning or perspective. While grammatically sound, it's not a very common expression, as Ludwig AI indicates. It is used in neutral to formal registers and across several contexts such as news media, science, and academia, according to Ludwig examples. For more casual communication, simpler alternatives like "change of mind" or "shift in perspective" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shift in thinking

Replaces "turn" with "shift", emphasizing a change in the way someone is thinking.

change of perspective

Focuses on a change in viewpoint rather than the process of thinking itself.

alteration in reasoning

Highlights that reasoning is altered.

new line of reasoning

Indicates a completely new direction in logical thinking.

evolution of thought

Suggests a gradual development in thinking over time.

flipping a switch in mind

Indicates to change a way of thinking.

reversal of opinion

Indicates to change an opinion to its contrary.

course correction in thinking

Implies a change of direction to keep thinking on track.

transition in thought

Implies a progressive development.

switch to new idea

Expresses change from one idea to another.

FAQs

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

You can use "turn of thought" to describe a shift in someone's reasoning or perspective, as in "There was a significant "turn of thought" in his argument after considering the new evidence."

What are some alternatives to "turn of thought"?

Alternatives include "shift in thinking", "change of perspective", or "alteration in reasoning", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "turn of thought" formal or informal?

"Turn of thought" is generally considered a more formal phrase. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives may be more suitable.

What is the difference between "turn of thought" and "turn of phrase"?

"Turn of thought" refers to a change in reasoning or perspective, while "turn of phrase" refers to a particular way of expressing something. They describe different aspects of communication and expression.