a small thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a brief idea or reflection, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I just wanted to share a small thought I had about the project during our meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I opened the door to a small thought: it might not be impossible.

The New York Times

And while it is important to stress that the treatment of the Japanese-Americans was in no way comparable to the treatment of the German Jews, a small thought experiment does not seem out of order here.

The New York Times - Books

Throughout the affair, I used to ask friends, puzzled by the French reluctance to instantly join in the damnation of D.S.K., to try a small thought experiment: imagine that Sarah Palin, on holiday in Paris shortly before announcing for the Presidency, was arrested for shoplifting from a store on the Rue St. Honore, then marched around in handcuffs and imprisoned in the Santé.

The New Yorker

ACTOR George Clooney, Michael Clayton Bagger's Choice: Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises A small thought exercise: Try to pick somebody here who did not do work worthy of the ultimate award.

The New York Times

Wayne Peacock, the company's CCO explained: "It seemed to us that it would be logical to operationalize our customer experience effort as opposed to trying to apply it from a small thought leadership team somewhere in the organization.

Forbes

My burgeoning sexuality was but a small thought in my mind, not really knowing what "gay" was, let alone whether it really described me, but that question would be answered in my mind during my formative years, which just so happened to be spent in the U.S. Army.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But the most striking images in "Art and Appetite," a small, thought-provoking exhibition of prints and photographs at the Davison Art Center, on the campus of Wesleyan University in Middletown, are less about food than they are about its absence.

The New York Times

Little in my life has made that real to me, so I have to assume that most of you read it in a glance and gave it the same small thought.

Huffington Post

A small pleasant thought began to take shape inside him.

The New Yorker

And I'd also like to add a small further thought.

The New York Times

And - a small, historical thought - wasn't there a time when hard-pressed inner Londoners longed to move to the suburbs?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small thought" when introducing a brief, often incomplete, idea or reflection. It's useful for setting a modest tone before presenting something that might not be fully developed.

Common error

Avoid using "a small thought" to introduce a major argument or conclusion. The phrase implies a lack of weight or importance that would undermine a significant point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

HuffPost

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a small thought" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce minor ideas or reflections. Although Ludwig examples demonstrate it appears in various contexts, its frequency is rare, leaning towards informal communication. When writing, use it to express a brief, often incomplete idea, and avoid overstating its significance. Alternatives like "a fleeting idea" or "a minor consideration" may be suitable depending on the specific context and desired tone. Ludwig AI validates these observations, reinforcing the appropriate use of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small idea

Direct synonym using a different noun, but same modifier.

a fleeting idea

Emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the thought.

a minor consideration

Highlights the insignificance or low importance of the thought.

a brief reflection

Focuses on the short and contemplative aspect of the thought.

a passing notion

Suggests the thought is casual and quickly dismissed.

a quick idea

Highlights the speed and lack of depth of the thought.

a slight musing

Indicates a gentle and perhaps whimsical thought.

a trivial concept

Emphasizes the lack of importance or significance of the thought.

a faint inkling

Suggests a vague or uncertain thought.

a preliminary thought

Indicates an initial or undeveloped thought.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small thought" to introduce a minor idea or consideration, for example: "I had "a small thought" about how we might improve the user interface."

What are some alternatives to "a small thought"?

Alternatives include "a fleeting idea", "a minor consideration", or "a brief reflection", depending on the context.

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

While grammatically correct, "a small thought" might be too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider alternatives like "a preliminary idea" or "a brief consideration" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "a small thought" and "a big idea"?

"A small thought" refers to a minor or less significant idea, while "a big idea" refers to a major, impactful concept. They are contrasting in scale and importance.