an immediate thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an immediate thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a thought that comes to mind quickly or spontaneously, often in response to a situation or question. Example: "Upon hearing the news, my immediate thought was to call my friend and check on her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Raising again is not an immediate thought in our mind but we've had a lot of interest [and] it all depends on the milestones we hit".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When my carers, whom I call Auntie and Uncle, asked whether would I like to perform at a theatre, my immediate thought was: no way!

The Guardian

However, after the former "The Parkers" star asked that we (specifically people of color) boycott Netflix because the streaming service reportedly offered her a only $500,000 for a comedy special, my immediate thought was, "I'm not doing that.

Huffington Post

My immediate thought: a ripe yet lean sauvignon blanc, with acidity present and accounted for, as in a juicy apple.

The New York Times

On a smaller scale, several times a year I am asked to participate in peer reviews of research proposals in theoretical physics, and just as with a jury summons, my immediate thought is that I have much better things to do with my time.

Huffington Post

When shooting broke out in front of the main entrance, Mulonzia's immediate thought was a robbery.

The New Yorker

My immediate thought was a round had gone through the screen in front of me," said Flt Lt Singh, from Bristol.

BBC

I'm on vacation in Mexico this week, with limited Internet access, but here are a few immediate thoughts on Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp, a messaging start-up.

The New Yorker

By John Cassidy February 19 , 2014I'm on vacation in Mexico this week, with limited Internet access, but here are a few immediate thoughts on Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp, a messaging start-up.

The New Yorker

A few occasions when I heard a noise at the back, my immediate thought is somebody going to break in.

The Guardian

When you are witness to a really good stage production, your immediate thought is, "Wow, everybody ought to see this".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an immediate thought" to describe a spontaneous reaction or idea that arises quickly in response to a situation. It adds emphasis to the speed and directness of the thought process.

Common error

While "an immediate thought" is widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "initial assessment" or "preliminary consideration" in academic or professional contexts to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an immediate thought" functions as a noun phrase. It acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a quick or spontaneous idea. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an immediate thought" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes a quick, spontaneous reaction or idea. Ludwig AI indicates that is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for general communication. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "initial assessment" or "preliminary consideration" in professional or academic writing. Key alternatives include "a first reaction", "an initial idea", and "a spontaneous thought".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the first thing that came to mind

More verbose, but directly describes the thought process.

a spontaneous thought

Highlights the unprompted and sudden nature of the thought.

an initial idea

Emphasizes the initial concept or plan that comes to mind.

a quick consideration

Suggests a brief and rapid contemplation of something.

a first reaction

Focuses on the initial emotional or behavioral response, rather than the thought itself.

an instant reaction

Similar to 'first reaction', but broader, encompassing any kind of immediate response.

a gut feeling

Implies an intuitive sense or instinctual thought, often emotional.

a flash of insight

Highlights a sudden and often revealing understanding.

a knee-jerk reaction

Usually implies a thoughtless and automatic response.

a preliminary assessment

Focuses on an initial evaluation or judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "an immediate thought" in a sentence?

You can use "an immediate thought" to describe a quick or spontaneous reaction to something. For example, "My "an immediate thought" was to help when I saw the accident".

What are some alternatives to "an immediate thought"?

Alternatives include "a first reaction", "an initial idea", or "a spontaneous thought", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "an immediate thought" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "an immediate thought" may sound informal in certain contexts. Consider alternatives like "initial consideration" or "preliminary assessment" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "an immediate thought" and "a second thought"?

"An immediate thought" refers to the first thought that comes to mind, while "a second thought" implies a reconsideration or later reflection on something.