crossed his mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crossed his mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a thought or idea briefly occurred to someone. Example: "The possibility of moving to a new city crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the thought has crossed his mind.

The New York Times - Sports

Apparently, it never crossed his mind.

The New York Times - Sports

Those questions hardly crossed his mind.

The New York Times

He became deeply depressed; suicide crossed his mind.

The New Yorker

"I honestly don't think it crossed his mind".

The New York Times

"I don't think it's even crossed his mind yet".

The New York Times - Sports

The idea had never crossed his mind, he said.

The New York Times

Anthrax, at that point, had not crossed his mind.

The New York Times

"I don't know if it's ever crossed his mind, either," Giants offensive lineman Kevin Boothe said.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet the idea of an arrangement along those lines had already crossed his mind.

The New York Times

Price acknowledged Friday that the possibility of his departure had crossed his mind.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. "Crossed his mind" is often used when the thought is fleeting or not fully developed. If you want to convey deeper consideration, alternatives like "he considered" or "he pondered" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "crossed his mind" when you want to emphasize a sustained or significant period of consideration. This phrase suggests a passing thought rather than a deliberate and extended contemplation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crossed his mind" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It indicates the arrival of a thought or idea into someone's consciousness, often implying that the thought was brief or fleeting. Examples in Ludwig show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "crossed his mind" is a grammatically sound and widely used idiom, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys the idea that a thought or idea briefly occurred to someone. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. To enhance writing, remember that "crossed his mind" indicates a fleeting thought rather than deep consideration, and consider alternatives like "occurred to him" for more formal or nuanced expressions. The abundant examples in Ludwig showcase the phrase's versatility and common application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurred to him

Emphasizes the arrival of an idea or thought in someone's consciousness; more formal.

entered his thoughts

Highlights the entrance of a thought into someone's mind.

came to his attention

Focuses on something becoming noticeable or considered by him.

struck him

Suggests a sudden realization or understanding.

dawned on him

Implies a gradual or sudden understanding of something.

he considered

Indicates a deliberate act of thinking about something.

he entertained the idea

Suggests that someone gave thought to a particular concept.

he pondered

Implies a deep and careful thought process.

was on his mind

Indicates that something was being contemplated or worried about.

he had a notion

Suggests a vague or uncertain idea.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "crossed his mind"?

It means that a thought or idea briefly occurred to someone. It suggests a fleeting or passing thought, not necessarily something that was deeply considered.

How can I use "crossed his mind" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where someone briefly thinks about something. For example, "The possibility of quitting his job "crossed his mind" when he had a difficult day."

What are some alternatives to "crossed his mind"?

Alternatives include "occurred to him", "entered his thoughts", or "came to his attention". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "crossed his mind"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and a common idiom in English. It follows standard grammatical rules and is widely understood.