school of thought

Meaning

This expression refers to a particular way of thinking, a specific philosophy, or a set of shared beliefs and opinions held by a group of people, often within an academic, scientific, or political discipline.

Examples

• One school of thought argues that economic growth is the best way to reduce poverty.

  One school of thought argues that economic growth is the best way to reduce poverty.

• There is a new school of thought in psychology that focuses entirely on positive emotions.

  There is a new school of thought in psychology that focuses entirely on positive emotions.

• In linguistics, there is more than one school of thought regarding how children acquire language.

  In linguistics, there is more than one school of thought regarding how children acquire language.

• According to this school of thought, climate change can only be solved through global policy reform.

  According to this school of thought, climate change can only be solved through global policy reform.

• He belongs to the traditional school of thought when it comes to teaching methods.

  He belongs to the traditional school of thought when it comes to teaching methods.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ There are many schools of thoughts on this matter.

  ✓ There are many schools of thought on this matter.

  In this idiom, 'thought' remains singular, even when 'schools' is pluralized.

• ✗ She follows a different thought school.

  ✓ She follows a different school of thought.

  This is a fixed idiomatic phrase; you cannot swap the words or rephrase it as 'thought school'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The dominant ___ in economics today emphasizes free-market principles.

  💡 A particular philosophy or shared set of academic beliefs.

  Show answer

  school of thought

• Which ___ do you subscribe to when it comes to modern art history?

  💡 A group of people sharing a specific perspective or theory.

  Show answer

  school of thought