a mere thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere thought" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that something is just a thought and may not have any significant or real impact. It can be used in various contexts, such as expressing a passing idea, a fleeting feeling, or an insignificant consideration. Example 1: "I had a mere thought of quitting my job, but I quickly dismissed it as irrational." Example 2: "He didn't give it much importance; it was just a mere thought to him." Example 3: "The decision was not based on solid evidence, but rather on a mere thought." Example 4: "Her dream of becoming a pilot was more than a mere thought; she was determined to make it a reality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Nor was the imitation game, for Turing, a mere thought experiment.

The New York Times - Books

At Nature, a neuroscientist wants $1 billion to make brains in a vat more than a mere thought experiment.

The New York Times

Whether anywhere in the room there be a mere thought, which is nobody's thought, we have no means of ascertaining, for we have no experience of its like.

University of California, Berkeley

PAGE 1 THE POWER OF THOUGHT Just wait until this application moves beyond the computer: One company is offering a headset that lets videogame players use electrical activity from the brain, as well as from facial muscles and other spots, to vanquish villains with a mere thought.

The New York Times

It was exactly what we were looking for: fantastic illustration, used to tell a real story, by which I mean one with a beginning, a middle and an end (lots of people sent in beautifully drawn pictures, but these too often illustrated an anecdote, even a mere thought, rather than a proper tale).

The Guardian - Books

Now it is true that the essence of Hesperus cannot be discovered by a mere thought experiment.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But, for liberals and progressives, in what is shaping up to be a painful year, the mere thought of Walker being taken down is a source of cheer.

The New Yorker

While I've never claimed to be a math whiz, and my head spins at the mere thought of a word problem: ("If a car is traveling from San Diego to Los Angeles at 70 MPH, and the headwinds are 10 MPH, what did the driver have for lunch?") even I can figure out the following equation..

Huffington Post

There is power in a room filled with people, lights, music and a story — and the mere thought of living without that power was excruciating.

Los Angeles Times

But for a guy who spent thousands on a single business suit, the mere thought of having to wear an orange jumpsuit every day, could be punishment enough.

Huffington Post

Face it, unless you're a die-hard fan, the mere thought of going to a baseball game these days is enough to inspire dread.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere thought" to downplay the significance of an idea or suggestion, emphasizing its lack of impact or importance.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere thought" when the idea actually holds substantial weight or influence, as it can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere thought" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As suggested by Ludwig AI, it emphasizes the insubstantial or trivial nature of an idea.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mere thought" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to minimize the significance of an idea. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly employed to indicate that something is just a fleeting idea and doesn't warrant serious consideration. While not exceptionally frequent, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When using this phrase, remember its purpose: to downplay an idea and avoid using it when the idea actually holds weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a passing thought

This alternative highlights the fleeting and transient nature of the thought.

a fleeting idea

Emphasizes the brief and insubstantial quality of the idea.

a trivial consideration

Indicates the thought is of little importance or significance.

an idle notion

Suggests the thought is without purpose or serious intent.

a faint inkling

Conveys a vague or indistinct understanding or feeling.

a slight contemplation

Implies a brief and superficial act of thinking about something.

a superficial idea

Indicates the idea lacks depth and substance.

a casual reflection

Suggests the thought is offhand and without deep engagement.

a minor consideration

Highlights the small and secondary nature of the consideration.

a basic idea

This option is an alternative with a lower similarity score, indicating only a general and uncomplicated concept.

FAQs

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

Use "a mere thought" to indicate something is only an idea and lacks real substance. For example, "The possibility of failure was "a mere thought", quickly dismissed by the team."

What are some alternatives to "a mere thought"?

Alternatives include "a passing thought", "a fleeting idea", or "a trivial consideration" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a mere thought" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a mere thought" might be perceived as somewhat informal. Consider context and audience. In formal settings, a phrase like "a minor consideration" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "a mere thought" and "a well-developed idea"?

"A mere thought" suggests an undeveloped, perhaps insignificant idea, whereas "a well-developed idea" implies significant consideration, planning, and detail. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of idea maturity.