various schools of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "various schools of thought" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the different ideologies, beliefs, or perspectives held by different groups or individuals. Example: "The debate over the origins of the universe has sparked various schools of thought, ranging from religious creationism to scientific theories such as the Big Bang."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Gives the various schools of thought.

The New Yorker

They also developed various schools of thought about the ultimate nature of matter.

Britannica

There are various schools of thought and multiple beliefs within Hinduism.

Harvard University

On the topic of ingredient "borrowing", there are various schools of thought regarding what is and what isn't fair game.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fish gutting is a serious business and there are various schools of thought as to how best to go about it.

The Guardian - Travel

Of the various schools of thought that arose in China's classical age, Legalism was the first to be accorded official favour.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Using the same holy sources of the Islamic belief as Da'esh does, i.e., the Qur'an and Sunnah, waves of Muslims throughout the world from various schools of thoughts and interpretation joined in an "ideology war" to protest and refute Da'esh views of Islam.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

His teachings in studies of jurisprudence benefited from researching the original sources of Sharia laws of the various schools of thoughts in Islam.

Huffington Post

There are several schools of thought.

The Economist

The contributors are from the U.S., Canada, England, and the Ukraine; they represent various schools of economic thought and employ different methodologies.

Harvard University

Similarly in psychology, when Sigmund Freud described transference, many others were able to refine it, and a key dynamic in psychology's 'physiology' yielded a therapeutic approach that continues to evolve in various schools of psychological thought today.

BMC Palliative Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a topic with multiple perspectives, use "various schools of thought" to acknowledge the diversity of viewpoints, promoting a balanced and comprehensive analysis.

Common error

Avoid presenting one school of thought as the definitive truth. Instead, acknowledge that "various schools of thought" exist, each with its own merits and limitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "various schools of thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces the idea that there are multiple, distinct perspectives or ideologies concerning a particular topic, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "various schools of thought" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to acknowledge the existence of multiple perspectives on a given topic. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for a neutral to formal register and appears across diverse sources. When writing, it's best to use the phrase to promote a comprehensive analysis, while avoiding the pitfall of presenting a single school of thought as the ultimate truth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diverse schools of thought

Emphasizes the range and dissimilarity of the different schools.

multiple schools of thought

Highlights the abundance of different viewpoints.

different schools of thought

Focuses on the distinction and separation between the schools.

several schools of thought

Indicates a limited but not insignificant number of different perspectives.

competing schools of thought

Stresses the rivalry or opposition between different schools.

opposing schools of thought

Highlights the contradictory nature of the schools' perspectives.

alternative schools of thought

Suggests these schools offer different options or approaches.

distinct schools of thought

Focuses on the clear and noticeable differences between the schools.

numerous schools of thought

Emphasizes the large number of different perspectives.

many schools of thought

Similar to numerous but less formal, indicating a substantial number.

FAQs

How can I use "various schools of thought" in a sentence?

You can use "various schools of thought" to introduce different perspectives on a topic. For example, "There are "various schools of thought" on the best approach to climate change."

What's the difference between "various schools of thought" and "different perspectives"?

"Various schools of thought" implies a more structured or formalized set of beliefs, while "different perspectives" can refer to individual opinions or viewpoints that may not be part of a larger school.

Which is correct, "various schools of thought" or "various school of thought"?

"Various schools of thought" is the correct plural form. "School" should be pluralized to reflect the multiple perspectives being discussed. The alternative "various school of thought" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "various schools of thought"?

You can use alternatives like "diverse schools of thought", "multiple perspectives", or "different approaches" depending on the context.