crossing my mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crossing my mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to thoughts or ideas that come to you suddenly or unexpectedly. Example: "While I was walking, the thought of traveling to Europe started crossing my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And that mince pies, although never crossing my mind the rest of the year, are really, really vital at Christmas.

Independent

I glanced down the street at the other houses, neat and tidy, conforming to expectation, the words All happy families are alike... crossing my mind.

The New York Times - Magazine

An elemental question kept crossing my mind as I browsed dozens of volumes of gay history and theory: Why has this small part of the population caused such vexation across the centuries?

The New Yorker

But when I got the break with the double fault at 30-all, it did start crossing my mind, 'Make him play, at least make him win it.' " It took a while.

The New York Times - Sports

I hired a cook without asking his caste (the same with my remaining domestic staff) and have entertained all manner of people in my home without the thought of caste affinity even crossing my mind.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It never crossed my mind".

The New York Times

— It has crossed my mind.

The New Yorker

"That never crossed my mind.

The New York Times

"It crossed my mind".

The Guardian

"It never crossed my mind," he said.

The New Yorker

"So, yeah, it did cross my mind".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crossing my mind" to indicate a thought or idea that has occurred to you, often unexpectedly or briefly. It's suitable for both spoken and written English, adding a touch of vividness to your expression.

Common error

While "crossing my mind" is a valid expression, avoid overusing it in your writing or speech. Vary your language by using synonyms like "occurring to me" or "entering my thoughts" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crossing my mind" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that a thought, idea, or possibility has occurred to someone. Ludwig's examples show its common use in expressing spontaneous or unexpected thoughts. It often introduces a reflection or consideration of something new.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crossing my mind" is a valid and relatively common idiomatic phrase used to describe the sudden appearance of a thought or idea. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While effective, avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "occurring to me" to add variety to your language. Remember that using "crossing my mind" effectively means placing it in contexts where you want to express a thought that emerged somewhat spontaneously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurring to me

This alternative replaces the dynamic imagery of "crossing" with a more static sense of something coming to mind.

entering my thoughts

This phrase uses a slightly more formal and descriptive way to express the idea of a thought appearing.

coming to mind

This is a more general and common way to say that a thought appeared.

entering my head

Similar to "entering my thoughts" but slightly more informal.

striking me

This suggests a sudden or forceful realization.

dawning on me

This conveys a gradual realization or understanding.

occurring to me now

Adds a sense of immediacy to the thought process.

flashing through my mind

Suggests a quick and fleeting thought.

popping into my head

This describes a sudden, often unexpected, thought.

coming into my consciousness

This is a more formal and philosophical way of describing a thought becoming present.

FAQs

What does "crossing my mind" mean?

The phrase "crossing my mind" means a thought or idea occurred to you, often suddenly or unexpectedly. It implies a fleeting or brief appearance of the thought.

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

You can use alternatives like "occurring to me", "entering my thoughts", or "coming to mind" depending on the context.

How do I use "crossing my mind" in a sentence?

You can use "crossing my mind" in a sentence like this: "The idea of starting my own business was crossing my mind more and more frequently."

Is "crossing my mind" formal or informal?

"Crossing my mind" is generally considered to be neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. It is frequently used in news media and personal narratives.