by the thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"by the thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an idea that was arrived at or inspired by a moment of thought. For example, "I was so surprised by the thought that I might never return that I had to sit down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Actually, I've never thought of that," Black says, half-bemused, half-tickled by the thought.

Independent

I am outraged by the thought.

The New York Times

The press was mesmerised by the thought.

The Economist

He is untroubled by the thought of wholesale gentrification.

The New Yorker

Influenced by the thought of the German philosopher G.W.F.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Longley is visibly moved by the thought of him.

The Guardian - Books

Troubled by the thought, I mentioned the shadow of Orwell.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Gillespie seemed to find herself increasingly repelled by the thought of two women in love.

The New York Times - Arts

Before being ambushed by "P.W.S.," I was exhilarated by the thought of planning my wedding.

The New York Times - Magazine

He's haunted by the thought of the Americans he hasn't been able to save.

The New Yorker

The darkness is shocking and made blacker by the thought that daylight is so far away.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the thought" to clearly indicate that a particular idea, feeling, or action was directly influenced or triggered by a specific thought process.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple clauses with "by the thought". Break down overly complex sentences for clarity. Instead of saying "He was overwhelmed by the thought that he might fail, which was exacerbated by the thought that his family depended on him", try "He feared failure, especially because his family depended on him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the thought" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or adjective. It indicates the cause, reason, or trigger behind a particular emotional state, action, or realization. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by the thought" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that effectively conveys the influence or cause of a particular feeling, action, or realization. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is valid and versatile. It is frequently found in news media and academic writing. While it is a useful phrase, writers should avoid overuse to maintain clarity and conciseness. Consider using alternatives such as "because of the idea" or "inspired by the notion" to add variety to your writing. The phrase's versatility and frequent appearance in reputable sources solidify its place as a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

because of the idea

Replaces "thought" with "idea" and uses "because of" to emphasize causation.

inspired by the notion

Substitutes "thought" with "notion" and "by" with "inspired by", highlighting the source of inspiration.

due to the concept

Replaces "thought" with "concept" and uses "due to" to indicate a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

prompted by the consideration

Replaces "thought" with "consideration" and "by" with "prompted by", suggesting a more deliberate instigation.

as a result of the thinking

Shifts from a noun ("thought") to a gerund ("thinking") and uses "as a result of" to show consequence.

influenced by the reflection

Emphasizes the impact of contemplative thought, replacing "thought" with "reflection".

motivated by the belief

Focuses on the motivational aspect of a belief, replacing "thought" with "belief".

guided by the principle

Highlights adherence to a guiding principle, substituting "thought" with "principle".

stemming from the understanding

Indicates origination from a comprehension, replacing "thought" with "understanding".

originating in the perception

Emphasizes the perceptual basis of the thought, substituting "thought" with "perception".

FAQs

How can I use "by the thought" in a sentence?

Use "by the thought" to indicate that a feeling, action, or idea was caused or influenced by a specific thought. For example, "She was startled "by the thought" of how much time had passed".

What are some alternatives to "by the thought"?

You can use alternatives such as "because of the idea", "inspired by the notion", or "due to the concept" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "by the thought" and "because of the thought"?

"By the thought" typically indicates a direct influence or trigger, while "because of the thought" emphasizes a cause-and-effect relationship. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the influence or the cause.

Is it ever incorrect to use "by the thought"?

While grammatically correct, overuse of "by the thought" can lead to wordy sentences. Consider simplifying your phrasing for conciseness. For example, instead of "He was troubled "by the thought" that it might not be so", you could say "He worried it might not be so".