a fleeting thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fleeting thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a thought that is temporary or quickly passing. Example: "As I walked through the park, a fleeting thought crossed my mind about the importance of enjoying the little moments in life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

I remember, while doing the cocaine, having a fleeting thought about feeling pain the next day, but I thought it would be because of the drugs and not because I would spend my evening fucking up my back to the point that it now hurts to get up.

Vice

They could not figure it out and thought something must be wrong". It was more than a fleeting thought, of course.

Los Angeles Times

But it's a fleeting thought.

The Guardian - Opinion

And there's a fleeting thought in my mind: I shouldn't let her do this last one".

The New Yorker

He talked about it too much for it to have been just a fleeting thought.

The New York Times

It's a fleeting thought, because Poppy, having got one paw wet, has retreated to drier sand.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Give it a few days before discussing it again; it may have been a fairly fleeting thought that crossed his mind, or a goal he genuinely wishes to achieve.

WikiHow

The only numbers to crunch came not from the record books but from the school books, which Pees's players had hit with a ferocity that shook loose any fleeting thoughts the university had of exploring more change.

The New York Times - Sports

The Inverness midfielder got enough on the ball to banish any fleeting thoughts the officials may have had about a penalty.

BBC

Flynn's book has sold more than 2m copies worldwide, but the anecdote she tells most proudly concerns her cousin: shortly after she read it, her normally frugal husband happened to suggest that they go on a luxury holiday; her first, fleeting thought was that he might be plotting to kill her.

The Guardian - Books

Every phone conversation, every encounter, every argument, every silly or fleeting thought; everything assumes a new mysteriously vivid quality, an occult focus, as the shadow of death falls across it.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fleeting thought" to describe ideas or considerations that arise quickly and are not dwelled upon for long. It's effective for conveying spontaneity or momentary contemplation.

Common error

Avoid using "a fleeting thought" to describe deeply considered or long-term ideas. This phrase is best reserved for momentary or quickly passing thoughts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fleeting thought" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It describes a thought that is temporary and quickly passing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

22%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fleeting thought" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a temporary or quickly passing idea. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a range of contexts, particularly in news and media, and academia. While versatile, it's best suited for describing momentary considerations rather than sustained reflections. Alternatives like ""a passing thought"" or ""a momentary idea"" can offer nuanced variations depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a passing thought

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the thought, similar to "a fleeting thought".

a momentary idea

Highlights the brief duration of the idea, akin to "a fleeting thought".

a transient thought

Uses a more formal term to describe the impermanent nature of the thought, like "a fleeting thought".

a quick notion

Focuses on the speed and brevity of the thought, much like "a fleeting thought".

a brief consideration

Indicates a short period of thinking about something, close to "a fleeting thought".

a momentary reflection

Focuses on a brief period of thinking, comparable to "a fleeting thought".

a passing fancy

Implies a short-lived inclination or idea, related to "a fleeting thought".

a sudden idea

Suggests an idea that arises quickly and may not last long, similar to "a fleeting thought".

a quick impression

Highlights a brief and immediate feeling or idea, related to "a fleeting thought".

a brief inkling

Suggests a slight, temporary understanding or idea, akin to "a fleeting thought".

FAQs

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

You can use "a fleeting thought" to describe a brief or passing idea. For example, "As she looked out the window, "a fleeting thought" crossed her mind about visiting her childhood home".

What's a good alternative to "a fleeting thought"?

Alternatives include "a passing thought", "a momentary idea", or "a quick notion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a fleeting thought I had"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. The phrase "a fleeting thought" can be followed by a relative clause to provide more context, such as ""a fleeting thought" I had while waiting for the bus".

How does "a fleeting thought" differ from "a persistent thought"?

"A fleeting thought" describes a brief, passing idea, while "a persistent thought" refers to an idea that remains in your mind for an extended period. They are essentially opposites.