a brief thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"a brief thought" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a short, concise idea or concept. For example, "I had a brief thought about how I could improve the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Here's a brief thought experiment that makes the point.

The New York Times

A brief thought on something I'll try to expand on later.

The New York Times

SPARE a brief thought for journalists, forced to extract salacious gossip on the seamier sides of life from people unwilling to reveal it.

The Economist

Before the family receives proof of death, even a brief thought of the missing person as dead would cause a feeling of guilt, as if it were a betrayal.

BBC

I spare a brief thought for whichever one of his neighbours I've just spent the past 20 minutes harassing.

Vice

I spare a brief thought for whichever one of his neighbors I've just spent the past 20 minutes harassing.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

We can offer only a few brief thoughts here.

Biology Direct

This was the essential intent of "Grapefruit," as it is of "Acorn," which gathers 100 brief thought experiments ("Find a spot that is comfortable for you. / Keep the spot clean.

Los Angeles Times

The key to lie in a good way, is to make them second guess their brief thought and believe  you.

WikiHow

I JUST wanted to add one additional, brief thought on yesterday's post on migration, productivity, and job growth.

The Economist

I had the brief thought that I could have saved some money by buying them from Amazon.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief thought" to introduce a concise idea or consideration, often as a prelude to expanding upon it or presenting a related argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a brief thought" merely as a conversational placeholder. Ensure that it genuinely introduces a succinct idea or reflection, rather than being a redundant phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief thought" functions as an introductory phrase, often leading into a concise idea or consideration. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a usable phrase for introducing a concise idea.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief thought" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that introduces a concise idea or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts, and has a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using the phrase, ensure it genuinely precedes a succinct idea, and avoid overusing it as filler. Consider alternatives like "a quick idea" or "a concise thought" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a concise thought

Directly emphasizes the succinctness of the thought.

a quick idea

Emphasizes the speed and suddenness of the thought.

a momentary idea

Underscores the brief duration of the idea.

a short reflection

Highlights the contemplative aspect while maintaining brevity.

a fleeting notion

Focuses on the transient nature of the thought.

a momentary reflection

Combines the elements of briefness and contemplation.

a passing consideration

Stresses that the thought is not dwelled upon for long.

a swift consideration

Highlights the speed at which something is considered.

a small inkling

Implies a vague or initial understanding.

a passing fancy

Suggests a whimsical and temporary idea.

FAQs

How can I use "a brief thought" in a sentence?

You can use "a brief thought" to introduce a short consideration or idea, for example, "I had "a brief thought" about how we could improve efficiency."

What is a more formal alternative to "a brief thought"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a concise reflection" or "a succinct consideration".

Is it correct to say "a brief thinking" instead of "a brief thought"?

No, "a brief thinking" is not standard English. The correct phrase is ""a brief thought"", which refers to a concise idea or consideration.

What's the difference between "a brief thought" and "a detailed analysis"?

"A brief thought" refers to a short, quick idea, while "a detailed analysis" involves a thorough and comprehensive examination of a subject.