as a thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing an idea or consideration that is being presented for reflection or discussion. Example: "As a thought, we might consider implementing a four-day workweek to improve employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The machines have always been thought of as a "thought experiment" but one crazy man actually built one.

TechCrunch

Each Overview begins as a "thought experiment".

The Guardian - Travel

Active participation as a thought leader.

MIT Technology Review

The book began inadvertently, as a thought experiment.

The New York Times - Books

Clary chews her food slow as a thought.

The Guardian - Books

As a thought experiment, I'm inspired by it every day.

The Guardian

Collaborations with industry are crucial to our success as a thought leader in the hospitality industry.

Cornell University

The company has also positioned itself as a thought leader in the space.

Yale University

As a thought experiment, Mr. Altshuler said, sure, given the lie we're currently telling ourselves.

The New York Times

The rain kept coming in a steady drizzle as a thought suddenly struck Father Furgoni, 69.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's not as beautiful a thought as it would look like translated to a Gatorade ad.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a thought" to introduce a new idea or perspective, especially when you want to present it as something worth considering rather than a firm assertion. For example, "As a thought, perhaps we should explore alternative marketing strategies."

Common error

Avoid using "as a thought" excessively in your writing. While it can be a useful way to introduce new ideas, overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Try to vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "as an idea" or "for consideration" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a thought" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a suggestion, idea, or consideration. It's often used to soften a statement or present it as something to ponder, as demonstrated in examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a thought" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to introduce an idea or suggestion. According to Ludwig, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, though more formal situations might warrant alternatives. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and formal business contexts. Remember to avoid overusing this phrase to maintain the impact of your writing. Also, don't confuse it with "as a thought experiment" which has a different meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as an idea

Replaces "thought" with "idea", focusing on the conceptual aspect.

as a consideration

Substitutes "thought" with "consideration", emphasizing the act of thinking something through.

as a notion

Uses "notion" instead of "thought", suggesting a preliminary or tentative idea.

as a concept

Employs "concept" to highlight the theoretical or abstract nature of the idea.

in theory

Shifts the focus to the theoretical aspect of a situation or proposal.

hypothetically speaking

Introduces a situation discussed on a hypothetical basis.

for the sake of argument

Presents a point for discussion, even if not necessarily believed.

as a mental exercise

Specifies the "thought" is being used as a way to exercise the mind and explore possibilities.

just supposing

Introduces a hypothetical situation or idea.

if we consider

Introduces an alternative option to take in consideration.

FAQs

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

Use "as a thought" to introduce an idea, suggestion, or consideration. For example, "As a thought, we could try a different approach to this problem."

What are some alternatives to "as a thought"?

You can use alternatives like "as an idea", "as a consideration", or "as a notion" depending on the specific context.

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

While "as a thought" is generally acceptable, it might be perceived as slightly informal. In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "for consideration" or "it is worth noting".

What's the difference between "as a thought" and "as a thought experiment"?

"As a thought" introduces a general idea, while "as a thought experiment" specifically refers to a hypothetical scenario used to explore the consequences of a particular idea or situation.