Crossed my mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Crossed my mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a thought or idea that briefly occurred to someone. Example: "The idea of moving to a new city crossed my mind while I was daydreaming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

— It has crossed my mind.

The New Yorker

It never crossed my mind".

The New York Times

This would've crossed my mind.

The New York Times

"That never crossed my mind.

The New York Times

"It's certainly crossed my mind.

The New York Times - Sports

"It crossed my mind".

The Guardian

It just never crossed my mind".

The New Yorker

It had never even crossed my mind.

Independent

"It never crossed my mind," he said.

The New Yorker

A sudden suspicion crossed my mind.

The New Yorker

That hadn't crossed my mind.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When negating, consider variations like "It never crossed my mind" to emphasize a complete lack of consideration or awareness.

Common error

While "Crossed my mind" is generally acceptable, be mindful of using it in highly formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "It occurred to me" may be more appropriate in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Crossed my mind" functions as an idiomatic expression to indicate that a thought or idea has occurred to someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature. It's commonly used to express that something came to one's attention or was briefly considered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Crossed my mind" is a grammatically sound and widely used idiomatic expression used to convey that a thought or idea briefly occurred to someone. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. Its frequency and presence in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, confirms its acceptability. While versatile, writers should consider more formal alternatives like "occurred to me" in academic or highly professional contexts. Using "Crossed my mind" effectively involves understanding its subtle implications and choosing the right context to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Occurred to me

This alternative is a more formal and direct way of saying that a thought came to someone.

Entered my thoughts

A more descriptive way of saying a thought appeared.

Came to my attention

This suggests the thought arose from something noticed or observed.

It was on my mind

Indicates that the thought was present and being contemplated.

Struck me

Implies a sudden or forceful realization of something.

Hit me

Similar to 'struck me' but slightly more informal.

I entertained the idea

Suggests considering an idea, possibly with some level of interest.

Flashed through my mind

Suggests a brief and fleeting thought.

Dawned on me

Implies a gradual realization or understanding.

I considered

Focuses on the act of thinking about something.

FAQs

How can I use "Crossed my mind" in a sentence?

You can use "Crossed my mind" to indicate that you briefly thought about something. For example, "The idea of taking a vacation "crossed my mind" when I saw the travel deals online."

What can I say instead of "Crossed my mind"?

You can use alternatives like "occurred to me", "came to my attention", or "struck me" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "Crossed my mind" or "Passed my mind"?

"Crossed my mind" is the more common and idiomatic expression. While "passed my mind" is understandable, it is less frequently used.

Is "Crossed my mind" suitable for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "Crossed my mind" might be considered slightly informal for highly academic or professional contexts. In such cases, alternatives like "it occurred to me" may be more appropriate.