turning contemplative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turning contemplative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a shift in someone's mindset or mood towards a more thoughtful or reflective state. Example: "As the sun began to set, she found herself turning contemplative, reflecting on the events of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The video game's hectic pace turns contemplative.

The New York Times - Arts

"Serenade on the Shores of the Cosmic Ocean" (2004), inspired by Carl Sagan's book "Cosmos," by turns contemplative, restless and frenetic, is ingeniously scored for accordion and string quartet.

The New York Times - Arts

This eight-movement quartet, by turns quizzically contemplative and bursting with defiant abandon, was scored for the only instruments available in the camp, all broken down: an upright piano, a violin, a clarinet and a cello with a missing string.

The New York Times - Arts

By turns playful, contemplative, humorous, and subversive, these poems appeal to modern sensibilities while giving scholars a revised picture of the nineteenth-century literary landscape.

Johns Hopkins University

Dixon was shifting modes: his style of playing became breathier; he slowed down, turning his solos into contemplative, metamorphic vistas, reminiscent of the ballad style of Miles Davis but with flashes of a distant grandeur taking the place of the confessional mode.

The New Yorker

For a year I intended to write about turning 50 - a contemplative, insightful piece extolling the wisdom gained from living for half a century, but in a few days I'll be 51.

Huffington Post

By turns pacy and contemplative, though never overwrought, the narrative sets up an intensifying web of connections between her death and those caught up in its fallout.

Independent

Two years ago, this two-acre site along the East River was turned into a contemplative playground, into a polished cobblestone plaza, into a wood-and-steel temple for sun addicts and stargazers.

The New York Times

The twists and turns demand contemplative viewing, at least until the end.

Huffington Post

Ms de Santillana explains that the "dark blue looks black, like clouds turning black in the twilight".The chapel's contemplative, light-saturated space is a fitting environment for the works of these 21st-century glass maestros.

The Economist

"The River" is a different beast: eighty minutes to "Jerusalem" 's three hours and contemplative where the earlier play was raucous, turning on the intimacies of a couple rather than the carnival-like energy of a cast of fourteen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turning contemplative" to describe a shift in focus from activity to reflection. It suggests a deliberate or gradual transition.

Common error

Avoid using "turning contemplative" when describing actions that are inherently active or lack a reflective component. It's best suited for scenarios involving thought, observation, or emotional processing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turning contemplative" functions as a verb phrase combined with an adjective, describing the action of transitioning into a state of thoughtfulness. It indicates a shift in focus toward reflection and introspection. The Ludwig AI confirms the expression is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turning contemplative" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the process of shifting towards a state of thoughtfulness or reflection. While examples are currently missing in the provided data, Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Alternative phrases like "becoming reflective" or "growing pensive" can be used depending on the specific context. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and can be used in various settings to convey a transition to a more thoughtful mindset.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming reflective

Focuses on the resulting state of reflection rather than the process of transitioning.

growing pensive

Emphasizes a thoughtful and often melancholic mood.

shifting to a reflective mood

Highlights the change in emotional state towards reflection.

adopting a thoughtful stance

Suggests a conscious decision to be thoughtful.

entering a meditative state

Implies a deeper, more focused form of reflection.

retreating into introspection

Focuses on withdrawing into oneself for reflection.

becoming absorbed in thought

Highlights the level of engagement in thinking.

drifting into contemplation

Suggests a gradual and passive transition to a contemplative state.

moving towards reflection

Emphasizes the direction of change towards becoming reflective.

settling into a quiet reflection

Implies finding peace and stillness in reflection.

FAQs

How can I use "turning contemplative" in a sentence?

You can use "turning contemplative" to describe a transition to a thoughtful or reflective state. For example: "As the sun set, she found herself turning contemplative, reflecting on her life choices."

What are some alternatives to "turning contemplative"?

Alternatives include "becoming reflective", "growing pensive", or "shifting to a reflective mood", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "turning contemplative" formal or informal?

"Turning contemplative" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What does "turning contemplative" imply about the subject?

It suggests that the subject is shifting from a state of activity or engagement to one of quiet reflection and consideration.