a very simple thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very simple thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an idea or concept that is easy to understand or straightforward. Example: "After much deliberation, I realized that the solution was just a very simple thought that had eluded me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This is a very simple thought".

The Guardian

"I had a very simple thought," Pinochet replied.

The New Yorker

"I entertained a very simple thought process," Mr. Yoder said on a recent morning in a Florence cafe.

The New York Times - Arts

"I have a very simple thought -- stand over the ball, pick a line and hit it instead of worrying about how much it's going to break.

The New York Times - Sports

And it was only on watching it again recently that a very simple thought struck me: Vietnam was different from the Iraq wars because for Vietnam, America had the draft.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

So it's a very simple idea.

Yale University

Musicals are about a very simple idea.

Los Angeles Times

As I walked away, drink in-hand, I couldn't stop thinking about how this encounter completely subverted my very simple thought process of selecting a shirt to wear that day.

HuffPost

It can turn very simple thoughts into very complex images.

Forbes

'Hobby' is a very simple word but it has the power to change your thoughts.

WikiHow

It's a very simple sitting practice, very fundamental — 10 minutes of walking and 20 minutes of sitting — following the breath and letting the thoughts come and go.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a very simple thought", ensure the simplicity is relevant to the context. Elaborate briefly on the thought to clarify why it's considered simple.

Common error

Avoid using "a very simple thought" when the idea is actually complex or nuanced. Overstating simplicity can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very simple thought" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence. It introduces an idea or concept that is presented as being easily understood. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

32%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a very simple thought" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase to highlight an idea's ease of understanding. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, notably News & Media and Academia. When employing the phrase, ensure its simplicity aligns with the idea's actual complexity to maintain credibility. Ludwig's examples offer useful context for its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a straightforward idea

Replaces "thought" with "idea" and "simple" with "straightforward", emphasizing clarity.

an uncomplicated concept

Uses "uncomplicated" instead of "simple" and "concept" instead of "thought", stressing the lack of complexity.

an easy concept to grasp

Focuses on the ease of understanding the concept.

a basic notion

Substitutes "simple" with "basic" and "thought" with "notion", indicating fundamental nature.

a clear idea

Emphasizes the clarity of the idea, removing the explicit mention of simplicity.

an elementary consideration

Replaces "thought" with "consideration" and "simple" with "elementary", suggesting a fundamental aspect.

a fundamental concept

Emphasizes that the concept is a foundation for further understanding.

a rudimentary idea

Replaces simple with rudimentary suggesting it's at the most basic level.

an accessible notion

Replaces simple with accessible highlighting how easy is to assimilate the notion.

a digestible idea

Highlights that the idea is easy to process or understand.

FAQs

How can I incorporate "a very simple thought" into a sentence?

You can use "a very simple thought" to introduce an idea or realization that is easy to understand. For example, "After analyzing the problem, I had "a very simple thought": focus on the root cause."

What are some alternatives to "a very simple thought"?

You can use alternatives like "straightforward idea", "basic concept", or "clear notion" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a very simple thought"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the ease of understanding or the straightforward nature of an idea. Avoid using it sarcastically or when the idea is actually complex.

Is "a simple thought" the same as "a very simple thought"?

While similar, ""a very simple thought"" emphasizes the simplicity more strongly than "a simple thought". The addition of "very" amplifies the degree of simplicity.