a quick thought

USAGE SUMMARY

'a quick thought' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a brief or sudden idea or realization that comes to mind. Examples: - "She paused for a moment, lost in a quick thought before continuing her presentation." - "While walking down the street, I had a quick thought about how much the neighborhood had changed since I was a child." - "His mind was filled with a jumble of quick thoughts as he tried to come up with a solution to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

If you remain unconvinced, I have a quick thought experiment.

Independent

His style is to "think about what something means" rather than pump out a quick thought.

The Guardian

Here's a quick thought, in 10 words: A stink bug is probably in your house right now.

The Washington Post

Just a quick thought: in much discussion of economic policy these days, the presumption is that stimulus had its chance, it failed, and that's that.

The New York Times

Here's a quick thought experiment for these pundits: Can you imagine Chris Dodd, Evan Bayh and Byron Dorgan saying in 2009 that Barack Obama was debasing the country?

The Washington Post

"She had a roommate on the other side of the curtain, and I had a quick thought, like, Wow, it would be so cool if there was some cute boy, maybe her son, who I could flirt with," Feiffer recalled.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In his collection The Village, the City, the Suicide of the Astronaut, and Other Stories, he pauses for a quick, thought-provoking defense of dictatorship: "The tyranny of a single man is the most tolerable of all tyrannies; after all, he is just one man and can be removed from power in a single blow".

The New Yorker

It came from a move built on speed – the determination of Alexis Sánchez to instigate a move, quick thought to pick a brilliant pass, the enterprise of Héctor Bellerín to zip in a cross and the sharpness of Walcott to nip ahead of his marker to turn in the ball at Lee Grant's near post.

The Guardian - Sport

He's got a great eye and a very quick thought process.

BBC

Expect a full review next week, but here are a few quick thoughts to ponder.

TechCrunch

That's not to say everyone needs to be writing up ten page reports — a few quick thoughts will do.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a quick thought" to introduce a brief, often spontaneous idea in writing to keep the tone conversational and engaging.

Common error

Avoid using "a quick thought" when introducing complex arguments or analyses. Opt for more formal phrases like 'a detailed analysis' or 'a comprehensive review' in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick thought" primarily functions as an introductory phrase to present a brief, often impromptu idea or reflection. It is commonly used to signal a transition to a new, often related, point in a discussion or written piece. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

13%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quick thought" is a common phrase used to introduce a brief, often spontaneous idea or reflection. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and frequently found in various contexts, including News & Media. While it can be suitable for conversational and engaging writing, more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional settings. Remember to use it to introduce new points, and not to substitute deeper analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief idea

Focuses more on the conciseness of the idea.

a swift idea

Similar to brief idea but emphasizes the speed.

a fleeting thought

Emphasizes the transient nature of the idea.

a passing thought

Highlights the casual and temporary nature of the idea.

a sudden idea

Stresses the unexpected arrival of the thought.

a spontaneous thought

Highlights the unplanned and impulsive nature of the thought.

a hasty consideration

Suggests a rapid and possibly superficial assessment.

a momentary notion

Emphasizes the brevity and insubstantiality of the thought.

a short notion

Combines brevity with the speculative nature of a 'notion'.

a rapid reflection

Indicates a swift process of thinking.

FAQs

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

You can use "a quick thought" to introduce a brief or spontaneous idea. For example, "Here's a quick thought: maybe we should try a different approach."

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

Alternatives include "a brief idea", "a fleeting thought", or "a passing thought", depending on the context.

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

While "a quick thought" is acceptable, more formal alternatives like "a brief consideration" might be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "a quick thought" and "an in-depth analysis"?

"A quick thought" implies a brief, often spontaneous idea, while "an in-depth analysis" suggests a thorough and detailed examination of a topic.