underlying thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

'underlying thoughts' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when discussing an idea or concept that is not explicitly stated, but can be inferred. For example: "Though she never mentioned it, one could sense the underlying thoughts of anxiety and fear in her words."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Each of the respondents was offered the possibility to express his feelings and to explain underlying thoughts when ranking and classifying the photographed systems.

NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences

The question also maps underlying thoughts and emotions well, i.e. shows patterns consistent to those which look at answers to questions such as 'Overall, to what extent do you feel the things you do in your life are worthwhile?' Positive and negative affect scales showed high independent correlations with a global well-being item (Beiser 1974; Bradburn 1969; Moriwaki 1974).

IZA Journal of Migration

Expression of these illnesses drives change in key neural systems in the direction of ever more dysfunctional patterns underlying thoughts, emotions and complex behaviours.

Brain

The interviews generated additional information about underlying thoughts and arguments of the therapists for the use or non-use of measurement instruments.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

"Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven," which gets its reggae beat from the Wailers themselves, sounds relatively cheerful, even with underlying thoughts of death.

The New York Times

Underlying thoughts are not considered even though they may be persistent determinants of behavior.

Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

We aimed to identify the neural correlates underlying thought suppression in at-risk and depressed individuals.

Behavioural Brain Research

Yet the economists' underlying thought is clear enough: People gain satisfaction from charitable giving.

Forbes

It is probably more liable to being therapeutical than metaphysical, with the element of self underlying its thoughts.

The New Yorker

We live in an age of transparency, in which — Cole Porter! — good behavior isn't enough, and is supposed to reflect and be motivated by underlying good thoughts.

The New Yorker

Indeed, people are often unaware of the processes underlying their thoughts and motivation for their behaviours [ 29- 31].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing characters in literature or people in real life, use "underlying thoughts" to explore motivations that aren't immediately apparent. This adds depth to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "underlying thoughts" when you actually mean explicit or obvious thoughts. The power of this expression lies in suggesting something hidden or not immediately visible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying thoughts" functions as a noun phrase, where 'underlying' acts as an adjective modifying 'thoughts'. This phrase typically describes the fundamental, often hidden or implicit, mental processes influencing behavior, emotions, or decisions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "underlying thoughts" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe the implicit and often hidden mental processes that drive our behaviors and decisions. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase sees frequent use in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, implying an analytical and thoughtful approach. It is crucial to distinguish these "underlying thoughts" from the superficial or obvious ones, and instead, use this phrase to explore the deeper motivations beneath the surface. Understanding the nuances of "underlying thoughts" adds depth to any analysis or discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

implicit thoughts

Focuses on the unstated or implied nature of the thoughts.

subconscious thoughts

Highlights the part of thinking occurring below conscious awareness.

latent thoughts

Emphasizes the hidden or not yet revealed aspect of the thoughts.

fundamental beliefs

Shifts focus to the core beliefs that underpin thinking.

core assumptions

Highlights the assumptions that form the basis of reasoning.

root thoughts

Highlights the origin or the fundamental source of the thoughts.

foundational ideas

Emphasizes the role of ideas as the base or groundwork of more complex thoughts.

unspoken thoughts

Refers to thoughts that are not verbally expressed or articulated.

unarticulated thoughts

Highlights the thoughts that are difficult to express clearly.

unexpressed thoughts

Focuses on thoughts that are deliberately or inadvertently not shared.

FAQs

How can I use "underlying thoughts" in a sentence?

You can use "underlying thoughts" to refer to the implicit or foundational reasoning behind someone's actions or feelings. For instance, "The therapist helped the patient uncover the underlying thoughts contributing to their anxiety."

What is a good alternative to "underlying thoughts"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "implicit thoughts", "subconscious thoughts", or "latent thoughts" can be used.

What's the difference between "underlying thoughts" and "surface thoughts"?

"Underlying thoughts" refer to the deeper, often unacknowledged, reasons behind one’s feelings or actions, while "surface thoughts" are the immediate, conscious thoughts that are easily expressed.

When is it appropriate to analyze someone's "underlying thoughts"?

Analyzing someone's "underlying thoughts" is appropriate in contexts such as therapy, literary analysis, or investigative journalism, where understanding motivations and hidden factors is crucial.