Cross my mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Cross my mind" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a thought or idea that briefly comes to you. Example: "It crossed my mind that we should try a new restaurant." Alternative expressions include "occur to me" and "come to mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"So, yeah, it did cross my mind".

The New York Times

The thought did cross my mind.

The New York Times - Magazine

It didn't even cross my mind".

The New York Times - Magazine

"That does cross my mind".

The New Yorker

It didn't cross my mind.

The Guardian

It won't even cross my mind again".

The New York Times - Sports

It doesn't even cross my mind".

The New York Times - Sports

That never used to cross my mind.

The Guardian - Film

It didn't cross my mind that he would hurt her.

Independent

"It did not even cross my mind once," he said.

The New York Times

"It did actually cross my mind," Davis said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with adverbs like "briefly", "suddenly" or "fleetingly" to add nuance to the duration of the thought.

Common error

Avoid using "cross in my mind" or "cross through my mind". While thoughts can 'pass through' your mind, the fixed idiom is always "cross my mind".

Linguistic Context

"Cross my mind" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase where the thought or idea acts as the subject that 'crosses' the mental space of the speaker. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used in the past tense to describe a moment of realization or in the negative to denote a total lack of awareness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Informal & Wiki

10%

Science & Academic

5%

Less common in

Legal Documents

2%

Technical Manuals

1%

Medical Prescriptions

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Cross my mind" is a highly effective and grammatically correct idiom used to describe the spontaneous appearance of thoughts. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is exceptionally common in news and media, often serving as a tool for storytellers and interviewees to describe their internal reflections. Whether used to express a fleeting idea or to highlight a complete lack of consideration in its negative form, it remains a staple of natural English. Writers should feel confident using it in most contexts, while perhaps opting for more direct verbs like "consider" or "realize" in strictly technical scientific reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occur to me

Shifts the focus from the thought 'crossing' to it 'happening' or presenting itself to the subject

come to mind

A very close synonym that emphasizes the presence of the thought in the mental workspace

spring to mind

Suggests a more sudden or energetic emergence of a thought compared to the neutral 'cross'

enter my mind

Slightly more literal and often used to describe thoughts that are unwelcome or intrusive

dawn on me

Indicates a gradual realization or a thought that becomes clearer over a period of time

strike me

Implies a sudden and forceful realization that often changes one's perspective

pop into my head

A more informal version that suggests a spontaneous or unexpected thought

flash through my mind

Emphasizes the extreme brevity and speed of the thought passing through consciousness

hit me

Very informal and used for a realization that has a strong emotional or intellectual impact

think of

The most basic verbal alternative, lacking the idiomatic nuance of a thought acting as the subject

FAQs

Is it correct to say "crossed my mind"?

Yes, "crossed my mind" is the standard past tense form of this idiom. You can find many examples of its use in reliable sources like "The New York Times".

What is the difference between "cross my mind" and "occur to me"?

While both mean a thought appeared, "occur to me" often implies a realization or a logical conclusion, whereas "cross my mind" is frequently used for more fleeting or random thoughts.

Can I use "cross my mind" in formal writing?

Yes, though idiomatic, it is widely accepted in professional and neutral registers. For very formal academic papers, you might consider "come to mind" as a slightly more formal alternative.

What is a synonym for "didn't cross my mind"?

Common synonyms include "it never occurred to me" or "I didn't consider".