comes to mind

USAGE SUMMARY

"comes to mind" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when an idea or thought has just occurred to someone. For example: "When I think of summer, barbeques and swimming pools come to mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Macy's comes to mind.

The New York Times

(Tintin comes to mind).

The New York Times - Arts

What comes to mind?

The New York Times

Soup comes to mind.

The New York Times

Busy comes to mind.

The New York Times

France comes to mind".

The New York Times

A question comes to mind.

The New York Times

One story comes to mind.

The New York Times

Another silence comes to mind.

The New Yorker

Another theory comes to mind.

The New York Times - Science

Sander Boschker comes to mind.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comes to mind", ensure that the context makes it clear what you are referring to. If necessary, provide additional explanation or details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "comes to mind" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. In such contexts, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "one might consider", "it is worth noting", or "this suggests" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes to mind" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce a thought, idea, or memory that has just occurred to someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. The examples show its widespread application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

27%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "comes to mind" is a common and correct way to introduce a thought or idea that has just occurred to someone. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is usable in various forms of writing. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. While it is generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the overall tone of your writing and choose more formal alternatives if necessary. Some effective alternatives include "occurs to me" and ""springs to mind"". Avoid overusing this phrase in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

springs to mind

Emphasizes a more sudden or immediate recalling of something.

leaps to mind

Highlights a very quick and prominent thought.

is brought to mind

Passive voice, indicating something triggers the thought.

occurs to me

Focuses on the thought appearing in one's consciousness.

surfaces in my thoughts

Focuses on the emergence of a thought.

I recall

Directly states the act of remembering something.

I remember

Similar to 'I recall', but can imply a more vivid memory.

it crosses my mind

Implies a thought that briefly enters one's awareness.

is reminiscent of

Highlights the quality of reminding someone of something else.

is suggestive of

Implies a connection without being explicit.

FAQs

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

You can use "comes to mind" to introduce a thought that has just occurred to you. For example, "When I think of relaxing vacations, Hawaii "springs to mind"".

What are some alternatives to "comes to mind"?

Some alternatives to "comes to mind" include "occurs to me", ""springs to mind"", or "I recall", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "comes to mind" formal or informal?

"Comes to mind" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferable in highly academic or professional settings.

What does it mean when something "comes to mind"?

When something "comes to mind", it means that a thought, idea, or memory suddenly appears in your consciousness. It is a way of expressing that you have just thought of something.