crossed my mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crossed my mind" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is generally used to express the idea that something occurred to you or that you had a brief thought. For example, "I thought about contacting her, but the idea quickly crossed my mind that it may not be the best idea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

— It has crossed my mind.

The New Yorker

It never crossed my mind".

The New York Times

This would've crossed my mind.

The New York Times

"That never crossed my mind.

The New York Times

"It's certainly crossed my mind.

The New York Times - Sports

"It crossed my mind".

The Guardian

It just never crossed my mind".

The New Yorker

It had never even crossed my mind.

Independent

"It never crossed my mind," he said.

The New Yorker

A sudden suspicion crossed my mind.

The New Yorker

That hadn't crossed my mind.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crossed my mind" to indicate a thought or idea that briefly occurred to you. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "crossed my mind" to describe thoughts you've spent considerable time analyzing. This idiom is best for momentary considerations. For extended analysis, use phrases like "I considered" or "I've been thinking about".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crossed my mind" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that a thought or idea briefly occurred to someone. As shown in Ludwig, it's commonly used to express a fleeting consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crossed my mind" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic expression used to indicate that a thought or idea briefly occurred to someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in the News & Media domain. Use this phrase to convey a fleeting consideration, but avoid it when describing deeply analyzed or prolonged thoughts. Alternative phrases such as "occurred to me" or "I thought of" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurred to me

Directly indicates a thought that came to someone.

I thought of

Simple and direct way to say an idea came to mind.

I considered

Implies a more deliberate thought process than a fleeting idea.

it struck me

Indicates a sudden realization or thought.

it dawned on me

Similar to 'it struck me', but often implies a gradual understanding.

it hit me

Suggests a sudden and impactful thought.

I entertained the idea

Indicates a brief or tentative consideration of something.

the thought came to me

A more formal way of saying an idea occurred.

I had a fleeting thought

Emphasizes the briefness of the thought.

it registered with me

Highlights the awareness of a thought or idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "crossed my mind" to indicate a thought or idea that briefly occurred to you. For example, "It "certainly crossed my mind" to apply for the job, but I decided against it."

What's a more formal way to say "crossed my mind"?

A more formal alternative to "crossed my mind" is "occurred to me". For example, "It "occurred to me" that we should invite her to the party."

When is it appropriate to use "crossed my mind"?

"Crossed my mind" is appropriate when referring to a thought or idea that you've briefly considered, but not necessarily acted upon or deeply analyzed. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

What can I say instead of "crossed my mind"?

You can use alternatives like "I thought of", "it struck me", or "I considered" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.