come to mind

USAGE SUMMARY

'come to mind' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an idea or thought that has spontaneously been recalled or initiated. For example, "Several examples of famous works of art come to mind when I think about the impressionists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Objections come to mind.

The New Yorker

None come to mind.

The New York Times

Five possibilities come to mind.

The New York Times

Two reasons come to mind.

The New Yorker

Two anecdotes come to mind.

The New York Times

Two fragments come to mind.

The New Yorker

Three factors come to mind.

The New York Times

Anything come to mind?

The Washington Post

All sorts of ideas come to mind.

The New York Times

A few recent examples come to mind.

The New Yorker

A number of thoughts come to mind.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come to mind" when you want to express that something spontaneously appears in your thoughts without conscious effort.

Common error

While "come to mind" is a useful phrase, overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "spring to mind" or "occur to me".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come to mind" functions as a verb phrase indicating the spontaneous appearance of a thought or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. As exemplified by the provided examples, it's often used to introduce considerations, examples, or solutions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come to mind" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express the spontaneous appearance of a thought or idea. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is readily usable in written English. It is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "spring to mind" and "occur to me" exist, "come to mind" remains a versatile and widely understood option for introducing thoughts or ideas. Overuse should be avoided to maintain writing clarity and interest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spring to mind

This alternative is a synonym, suggesting a sudden appearance in thought, very similar in meaning.

occur to someone

This phrase shifts the focus to the person experiencing the thought, while maintaining a similar meaning.

cross one's mind

This alternative suggests a fleeting or transient thought, while remaining close in overall meaning.

enter one's head

This phrase provides a more literal and slightly less formal way of expressing the same idea.

flash into consciousness

This alternative implies a sudden and vivid appearance of a thought.

suggest itself

This alternative implies an idea naturally presenting itself as a solution or option.

be recalled

This option focuses on the act of remembering something that was previously known.

be remembered

This phrase emphasizes the passive retrieval of information from memory.

surface in memory

This alternative evokes the image of a thought gradually emerging from one's memory.

present itself

This alternative suggests a thought or idea appearing without conscious effort.

FAQs

What does "come to mind" mean?

The phrase "come to mind" means to appear in one's thoughts or to be remembered.

How can I use "come to mind" in a sentence?

You can use "come to mind" in a sentence like this: "Several solutions "spring to mind" when considering this problem.".

What are some alternatives to "come to mind"?

Alternatives to "come to mind" include "spring to mind", "occur to me", or "cross my mind".

Is it correct to say "comes to my mind"?

While understandable, the more common and natural phrasing is "come to mind". The subject usually influences the verb conjugation, not the possessive pronoun.