a thought of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “a thought of” is correct and usable in written English.
You might use this phrase when expressing a thought or an idea, for example: "I had a thought of starting a small business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For Eckhart, thinking presupposes no origin because a presupposed origin could only be thought by thinking and hence would be a thought of thinking, that is, itself thinking.

SEP

"There was a thought of using my mother's maiden name, but I thought that would be just too big a fuck you to my dad," he says.

The Guardian

Since this thought is a thought of thinking, however, and thus itself thinking, this thinking that has been thought principiates its own principle in retrograde fashion.

SEP

A word is a thought, of course.

The New Yorker

There was never a thought of danger.

The New Yorker

Occasionally, he offers a thought of his own.

The New York Times

But there was never a thought of stopping the battle.

The New York Times - Sports

"There's a thought of getting a defensive-minded everything," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

And in the face of death, Ms. Nieves had a thought of life.

The New York Times

And there was a thought of seeing Daryl Sherman at the Algonquin.

The New York Times - Style

But there's a thought of possibly getting back into the soft-drink business with my father.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a thought of" to introduce an idea or consideration, especially when referring to someone's internal mental process or reaction to something.

Common error

In formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "an idea regarding", "a consideration about", or "a concept related to" for enhanced clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thought of" functions as a noun phrase, often introducing an idea, consideration, or intention. According to Ludwig, this phrase is deemed grammatically correct and usable in written English. It appears frequently in various contexts, demonstrating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a thought of" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to introduce or refer to an idea, consideration, or intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While it's suitable for general use, remember to consider more formal alternatives like "an idea regarding" or "a concept related to" in academic or professional settings for greater precision and sophistication. The key takeaway is to use "a thought of" when you want to express a mental process or reaction to something, keeping in mind the context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an idea about

Focuses more on the concept as an idea rather than the process of thinking.

a consideration regarding

Emphasizes a more deliberate and careful evaluation.

a concept relating to

Highlights the theoretical or abstract nature of the thought.

a notion concerning

Suggests a vague or general understanding.

a feeling about

Implies an emotional or intuitive response.

an impression of

Highlights the impact or effect on someone's mind.

an inkling concerning

Suggests a subtle or vague idea.

a suspicion regarding

Indicates a conjecture based on limited evidence.

a worry over

Implies concern or anxiety.

a plan for

Specifies a strategy or course of action.

FAQs

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

You can use "a thought of" to introduce an idea, consideration, or plan. For example, "There was "a thought of using" my mother's maiden name" or "She trumps it with "a thought of a person" or activity that brings her pleasure".

What phrases are similar to "a thought of"?

Similar phrases include "an idea about", "a consideration regarding", or "a notion concerning", depending on the context.

Is there a more formal alternative to "a thought of"?

Yes, in formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "an idea regarding" or "a concept relating to" for clearer and more sophisticated language.

What does "a thought of" typically express?

The phrase "a thought of" expresses an idea, consideration, or mental process related to a specific topic or situation. It suggests something that has been considered or contemplated.