crosses my mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crosses my mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a thought or idea that comes to you suddenly or unexpectedly. Example: "Every time I see a sunset, the thought of my childhood home crosses my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That kind of crosses my mind".

The New York Times

"That thought never even crosses my mind".

The New York Times - Sports

"It rarely crosses my mind," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It crosses my mind," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"A bizarre thought crosses my mind," he wrote.

The New York Times

It never crosses my mind to be honest.

The Guardian

It crosses my mind all the time but I'll change.

The Guardian - Sport

"It crosses my mind they'll probably die early".

The New York Times

"Until people start talking about it, that's the only time it crosses my mind," Granderson said.

The New York Times - Sports

It crosses my mind to wonder what the current Hershey Company thinks about that.

The New York Times

"And it crosses my mind — what if I'm never going to see my family again?

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crosses my mind" to express a thought that occurs spontaneously or unexpectedly. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "crosses my mind" is a useful phrase, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "it occurs to me" or "I believe" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crosses my mind" functions as a verb phrase indicating the appearance of a thought or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. For example, "It "crosses my mind" that this is not nature as we know it in the UK."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Huffington Post

7%

The New York Times

4%

Less common in

Vice

0.7%

Wiki

0.3%

The Guardian

0.3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crosses my mind" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a thought that occurs spontaneously, as Ludwig AI confirms. It's versatile enough for both casual conversation and more formal writing. Most examples are extracted from "News & Media", suggesting it's widely used in journalistic contexts. For variety, consider using synonyms like "occurs to me" or "strikes me". Remember to avoid overusing the phrase in your writing for better engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it occurs to me

Expresses the sudden appearance of a thought, similar to "crosses my mind".

the thought comes to me

Directly states that a thought is entering one's mind.

it strikes me

Indicates a thought that suddenly and significantly impacts one's thinking.

it enters my head

Describes the arrival of a thought or idea.

it dawns on me

Suggests a gradual realization or understanding of something.

I get the impression

Implies a feeling or sense that arises in one's mind.

it hits me

Conveys a sudden and forceful realization.

I begin to think

Highlights the start of a thought process.

it registers with me

Indicates that something is being noticed or understood.

I surmise

Implies forming a thought or opinion based on incomplete information.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "crosses my mind"?

When a thought or idea "crosses your mind", it means that you suddenly think of it or it occurs to you.

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

You can use it to express spontaneous thoughts, like: "It "often crosses my mind" when I read the news." or "The thought "never crosses my mind"."

What are some alternatives to "crosses my mind"?

Alternatives include "occurs to me", "strikes me", or "comes to mind". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "crosses my mind" formal or informal?

"Crosses my mind" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "occurs to me".