a passing thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passing thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fleeting idea or consideration that is not deeply contemplated. Example: "While I was daydreaming, a passing thought crossed my mind about traveling to Europe next summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

General Discussion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's a passing thought, but only a passing thought, that the king of bourgeois taste was flirting on the last day of Fashion Week with a sexy schoolgirl look.

The New York Times

"But it was only a passing thought.

The New York Times - Sports

But in the end it is only a passing thought.

The New Yorker

Even trade, the reason the group came into existence, seemed a passing thought.

The New York Times

Anything else is gravy, worth a passing thought but not a year's worth of meetings and fundraisers.

The Washington Post

Dean's drawings are, I think, about time: geological time, the flash of a life, a passing thought.

The Guardian - Arts

A passing thought occurs, though, as a documentary about how Finland coped with last winter's snow flashes on to the television screen.

Independent

Or, walking is comparison, these woods in New Jersey seem (a passing thought) Ohioan, then I recall that late thaw one March in New Hampshire.

The New Yorker

Before Elian was picked up at sea on Nov. 25, Mr. Gonzalez fixed dented cars for a living and rarely gave politics a passing thought.

The New York Times

But they had no idea where it was, and with temperatures climbing past 80 degrees, the search for it was quickly becoming a passing thought.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It sounds like someone grabbing on to a million passing thoughts and making them into a song.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a passing thought" to introduce an idea that you are not going to dwell on or explore in depth, signaling to the reader that it is a minor point.

Common error

Avoid using "a passing thought" when the idea is actually central to your argument or requires further investigation. Choose a different phrase that reflects its true significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passing thought" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a verb. Ludwig AI shows it describes a fleeting idea or consideration, not deeply contemplated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Arts

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a passing thought" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a fleeting idea or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility across different contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, and it serves to introduce minor points or ideas without deep exploration. For alternative expressions, consider "a fleeting thought" or "a momentary thought". When using this phrase, ensure that the idea is indeed a minor one, avoiding overstatement of its importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fleeting thought

Replaces "passing" with "fleeting", emphasizing the brief duration of the thought.

a momentary thought

Substitutes "passing" with "momentary", highlighting the thought's short-lived nature.

a brief consideration

Replaces "thought" with "consideration", focusing on the act of briefly thinking about something.

a quick idea

Uses "idea" instead of "thought" and "quick" instead of "passing", suggesting a rapidly formed notion.

a transient notion

Employs "transient" to convey the temporary nature of the "notion".

a casual reflection

Uses "reflection" instead of "thought" and "casual" instead of "passing", implying a less serious consideration.

a fleeting impression

Shifts from a thought to an "impression", indicating a brief and somewhat superficial mental image or idea.

a passing fancy

Changes "thought" to "fancy", implying a whimsical or impulsive idea.

an offhand idea

Suggests the thought was mentioned without much forethought.

a spontaneous idea

Indicates the idea emerged unexpectedly or impulsively.

FAQs

What does "a passing thought" mean?

The phrase "a passing thought" refers to an idea or consideration that occurs briefly and is not given much attention or importance.

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

You can use it to introduce an idea that you don't intend to explore deeply, as in, "It was just "a passing thought", but maybe we should consider moving to the countryside."

What can I say instead of "a passing thought"?

You can use alternatives like "a fleeting thought", "a momentary thought", or "a brief consideration depending on the context.

Is "passing thought" formal or informal?

The phrase "passing thought" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for various types of writing and conversation.