at this thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"at this thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express a sudden realization or understanding that occurs upon contemplating a certain idea. For example: "At this thought, I understood why she had given up the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Both girls still seemed terrified at this thought.

The New Yorker

Drew's pleasure at this thought evaporated when he saw the wall ofcars at the parking lot's exit.

The New York Times - Books

"'We are washed in the Blood of the Lamb.' He looked warily over his shoulder at this thought".

The Guardian - Books

At this thought, sadly, the executive flinched as if someone had presented him a large tax bill while simultaneously hitting him over the head with a frying pan.

The Guardian

Sometimes we would hike out to a waterfall or cliff and stand wordlessly thinking about how much the pure and simple lines of the other's body resembled the waterfall or cliff, and become aroused at this thought.

The New Yorker

At this thought he felt a deep, guilty excitement, as if he had come to a forbidden door at the end of a private corridor and heard, as he slowly turned the key, a sound of distant music.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

At first, this thought was so foreign to him that he barely understood it.

The New Yorker

You wonder, at times, whether it is poetry at all, but this thought tends to crop up at moments when the art takes a certain thrilling turn.

The New Yorker

"I can't sleep at night because of this thought".

BBC

But at the end of this thought, it's important to note that this is, merely, a thought.

Huffington Post

Keep this thought at the forefront of your thoughts, before letting them loose on others!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at this thought" to clearly indicate a specific point in time when a realization or emotional response occurs. This helps create a cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "at this thought" interchangeably with phrases like "in this thought" or "of this thought". The preposition "at" specifies a moment of realization or reaction, while others don't convey the same immediacy or connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at this thought" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the specific moment when a realization or reaction occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct. The phrase connects the act of thinking to a subsequent event or feeling.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at this thought" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a moment of realization or emotional response to a specific idea. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in written English to express sudden understanding or realization. It is predominantly found in news and media contexts, demonstrating its versatility in journalistic and professional writing. While alternatives exist, such as "upon considering this idea", the original phrase effectively conveys a specific timing and connection between thought and reaction. This phrase is also suitable for both formal and informal writing, but is primarily leveraged for more formal writing pieces.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon considering this idea

Replaces "at this thought" with a more formal construction using "upon considering", emphasizing the act of deliberation.

on reflection of this notion

Uses "on reflection" to highlight a reflective consideration, providing a slightly more contemplative tone.

with this idea in mind

Shifts the focus to having the idea present during a subsequent action or state, implying ongoing consideration.

given this consideration

Emphasizes that something is being done or understood based on the consideration of the thought.

after contemplating this

Highlights the process of thinking deeply before arriving at a certain point, adding an element of reflection.

in light of this idea

Emphasizes understanding or action taken because of clarification or revelation from the idea.

considering this point

Focuses on a specific point or aspect being taken into account, making it slightly more direct.

on thinking about this

Uses a more informal phrasing to denote the act of considering something.

with regard to this concept

Adds a layer of formality and precision, suitable for academic or technical contexts.

this idea having occurred

Emphasizes the occurrence or arrival of the thought, rather than the reaction to it.

FAQs

How can I use "at this thought" in a sentence?

Use "at this thought" to indicate a moment of realization or a sudden emotional response to an idea. For example, "At this thought, she began to understand the gravity of the situation".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "at this thought"?

You can use phrases like "upon considering this idea", "on reflection of this notion", or "with this idea in mind" as alternatives to "at this thought", depending on the context.

Is "at this thought" formal or informal?

"At this thought" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, but its impact is most effective when used to highlight a crucial realization. Its formality can shift depending on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure. For example, it can be made more formal by combining it with high register alternatives to create something like “upon considering this "matter"” or “regarding this "concern"”.

Can "at this thought" be replaced with "because of this thought"?

While both phrases indicate a connection between a thought and a subsequent action or realization, "at this thought" implies a more immediate, almost instantaneous, reaction. "Because of this thought" suggests a more reasoned or causal connection, and is usually more verbose.