coming to mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "coming to mind" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that a thought or idea has occurred to someone or has been remembered. Example: "As she walked through the park, the scent of fresh flowers came to mind, reminding her of her grandmother's garden from childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

As this apostasy took hold, instances began coming to mind.

The New York Times - Food

Random memories of him have been coming to mind.

Independent

(Only depressing possibilities are coming to mind for some reason).

The New York Times

But that evening the image of my mother kept coming to mind.

The New Yorker

Lately, when I think of becoming a mother, a new image has been coming to mind.

The New York Times

Rarely since have I come upon the Capitol at night without that memory coming to mind.

The New York Times

Two thoughts, though, keep coming to mind during the duller moments in play.

The New Yorker

It is impossible to read "Believing Is Seeing" without the word "obsessive" coming to mind.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Objections come to mind.

The New Yorker

(Tintin comes to mind).

The New York Times - Arts

What comes to mind?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "coming to mind" when you want to express that a thought, idea, or memory spontaneously arises in your consciousness. For example: "The solution to the problem suddenly came to mind."

Common error

Avoid using "coming to mind" when you are actively searching for a memory or trying to recall something specific. It is better suited for spontaneous thoughts. For example, instead of saying "The name of the movie isn't coming to mind", say "I can't recall the name of the movie right now".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "coming to mind" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the spontaneous appearance of a thought, memory, or idea in one's consciousness. Ludwig shows this phrase is commonly used to describe thoughts that arise without conscious effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "coming to mind" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the spontaneous occurrence of thoughts or ideas. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage and widespread presence across varied contexts, particularly in news and media as well as academic writing. Alternative phrases like "occurring to me" or "springing to mind" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts. Remember to use "coming to mind" for spontaneous thoughts, not for intentional recall.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurring to me

Focuses on the action of a thought happening to the speaker.

springing to mind

Implies a sudden and quick appearance of a thought.

entering my thoughts

A more formal way of saying a thought is being considered.

crossing my mind

Indicates a fleeting or temporary thought.

entering consciousness

A psychological term implying a more profound realization.

striking me

Emphasizes the impact or suddenness of the thought.

dawning on me

Suggests a gradual realization or understanding.

registering in my brain

Focuses on the physiological aspect of thought processing.

surfacing in my awareness

Highlights the aspect of becoming aware of something.

germinating in my head

Implies a thought is developing or growing.

FAQs

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

You can use "coming to mind" to indicate that a thought or idea is spontaneously occurring to you. For instance, "As I listened to the music, memories of my childhood "came to mind"".

What are some alternatives to "coming to mind"?

Alternatives include phrases like "occurring to me", "springing to mind", or "crossing my mind", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "come to mind" or "coming to mind"?

Both "come to mind" and "coming to mind" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Come to mind" is often used in the past tense (e.g., "It came to mind"), while "coming to mind" is used in progressive tenses (e.g., "It is coming to mind").

What's the difference between "occurring to me" and "coming to mind"?

"Occurring to me" suggests a thought is currently happening, while "coming to mind" implies something from the past or a previously unknown thought is appearing in your consciousness.