brief thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"Brief thought" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to a thought that arrives quickly or briefly, such as when a spark of inspiration strikes. For example, you might say, "I had a brief thought that we could use the front porch for the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Here's a brief thought experiment that makes the point.

The New York Times

A brief thought on something I'll try to expand on later.

The New York Times

I JUST wanted to add one additional, brief thought on yesterday's post on migration, productivity, and job growth.

The Economist

I had the brief thought that I could have saved some money by buying them from Amazon.

The New Yorker

SPARE a brief thought for journalists, forced to extract salacious gossip on the seamier sides of life from people unwilling to reveal it.

The Economist

By way of illustration and introduction, consider this brief thought experiment.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The Australian world No1, though, admitted he had brief thoughts of heading to Minneapolis.

The Guardian - Sport

It will offer food for thought about America's most distinctive region (and some brief thoughts on its food).

The Economist

Some elements are clearer, some even foggier than they were before and my brief thoughts have been less brief than I imagined".

The Guardian

Cone pitched so poorly in April 1998, in fact, that he had very brief thoughts of retiring, but they were quickly dismissed.

The New York Times - Sports

Blast Radius Uneasy Rider Brief Thoughts on Arrogance Behind the Scenes of Harvey Weinstein's Arrest Seven Signs that Your Man's Masculinity Is Nontoxic Starbucks and the Issue of White Space Subscribe to The New Yorkerfor only $1 a week.Plus, get a free tote.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brief thought" when you want to convey that an idea or consideration was short-lived or not deeply explored. It suggests a quick mental process.

Common error

Avoid using "brief thought" when you are actually describing a thorough or prolonged examination of a topic. This phrase is unsuitable for denoting comprehensive analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief thought" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "brief" modifies the noun "thought". It describes the nature of the thought, indicating its short duration or lack of depth. Ludwig examples show it used to introduce a quick idea or consideration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brief thought" is a common phrase used to describe a fleeting or quickly-considered idea. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, with neutral register. Use it to express a short-lived mental consideration. Related phrases include "fleeting idea" and "passing notion". Be sure not to use it when describing an in-depth analysis. Its communicative purpose focuses on highlighting an ephemeral concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief contemplation

Similar to the original but using a different noun.

fleeting idea

Emphasizes the short duration of the idea.

passing notion

Highlights the transient quality of the thought.

fleeting consideration

A more formal option with a similar meaning.

quick consideration

Focuses on the speed and act of thinking about something.

short reflection

Implies a concise and thoughtful examination.

cursory thought

Indicates a superficial or hasty thought.

momentary musing

Highlights the brief and contemplative nature of the thought.

hasty contemplation

Emphasizes both the speed and the thoughtfulness involved.

rapid mental consideration

Focuses on speed and mental effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "brief thought" to describe a quick idea or consideration, such as, "I had a "brief thought" about changing my career path."

What can I say instead of "brief thought"?

You can use alternatives like "fleeting idea", "passing notion", or "quick consideration" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "brief thought" in formal writing?

Yes, "brief thought" can be used in formal writing, especially when describing a fleeting or initial idea. However, consider using a more formal alternative like "cursory consideration" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "brief thought" and "second thought"?

"Brief thought" refers to a short-lived idea, while "second thought" implies a reconsideration of something previously decided. They are not interchangeable.