Grammar fix
critical thinking
careful reasoning
The ability to think clearly and logically, especially by questioning ideas and considering evidence before making a decision or forming an opinion.
collocationB2common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Critical thinking helps you make better decisions by looking at all the facts.study
- In my opinion, critical thinking is essential for university students because it allows them to evaluate information and form their own opinions.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: critical thinking (noun, uncountable)
WrongStudents need a critical thinking.
RightStudents need critical thinking skills.
Uncountable — no 'a'; often '+ skills'.
Patterncritical thinking (noun, uncountable)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Analytical cognition' is jargon; 'critical thinking' is the standard term people use.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
critical thinkingskillsdeveloprequiresencourage
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'criticizing'—it means thinking deeply, not just finding faults.