distant thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distant thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a thought that feels far away, either in terms of time, relevance, or emotional connection. Example: "As I sat in the quiet room, a distant thought of my childhood memories floated through my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The outside ceremony we had thought about going to for World Malaria Day became a distant thought and it was announced that we'd be heading to Frankie's for lunch.

Huffington Post

"It's such a distant thought," Wagner said.

The New York Times - Sports

The girl leaned back against Mallon's knee, bouncing off him rhythmically, impersonally, as a child will do when caught by some distant thought or object of interest.

The New Yorker

At this point Carcetti is still the new, blue-eyed boy come to shake up the political system, with the run for governor that will eventually change his priorities still a distant thought.

The Guardian

A few weeks ago I said that Tom Soehn was one disaster from being out of a job - that disaster is now a distant thought with DC being the in-form team of the league.

The Guardian - Sport

(Why dump it when the goalie's just going to retrieve it and sling it back the other way?) If other goalies copied him, the executives feared, too much time would end up being contested in the neutral zone, where scoring remains a distant thought.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

A television review in The Arts yesterday about "Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson," a documentary about the prizefighter, misattributed an anecdote about his reply when he was asked once why women prefer African-American lovers: "We eat cold eels and think distant thoughts".

The New York Times

I had distant thoughts of my mother, houndish nips of worry, but she'd assume I was at Connie's.

Vice

And she insists that there will be no appreciable lessening of an autograph's authenticity, because writing is already only a distant cousin of thought.

The New Yorker

He speaks rapidly, with occasional pauses during which his look turns distant while another thought forms.

BBC

Meanwhile, the insurgents on the Mavericks' bench leaped and celebrated each basket as if this were some faraway Game 7. Instead it was just Game 1, but the holidays seem colder and more distant than anyone thought.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distant thought" when you want to convey that an idea is not immediately relevant or pressing, but still exists in the periphery of consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "distant thought" when you actually mean "wishful thinking". "Distant thought" implies remoteness, while wishful thinking suggests a desire for something unrealistic or unlikely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distant thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct, appearing in various contexts to describe an idea that is remote or not immediately relevant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distant thought" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It describes an idea or consideration that is not at the forefront of one's mind or is perceived as remote. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writings. The phrase conveys a sense of detachment, suggesting that the thought is present but not immediately relevant. Ludwig's analysis highlights that it's important to distinguish "distant thought" from related concepts like "wishful thinking", ensuring accurate and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remote idea

Implies the idea is unlikely or far-fetched.

vague notion

Suggests the thought is not fully formed or clear.

fleeting thought

Emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the thought.

far-off idea

Highlights the remoteness and unreality of the concept.

uncharacteristic thought

Implies a thought that is not typical for the person thinking it.

peripheral thought

Suggests the thought is not central to the current focus.

shadow of a thought

Indicates a faint or barely discernible idea.

recollection from afar

A memory viewed from a distance, either in time or emotional connection.

dim memory

Suggests the thought originates from a past that is fading.

peripheral consideration

A passing thought that does not hold major importance.

FAQs

How can I use "distant thought" in a sentence?

You can use "distant thought" to describe an idea or memory that feels far away or not immediately relevant. For example, "As she focused on the task at hand, the possibility of a vacation remained a "distant thought"."

What are some alternatives to "distant thought"?

Alternatives to "distant thought" include "remote idea", "vague notion", or "fleeting thought". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "distant thought" and "daydream"?

"Distant thought" generally refers to a thought that feels remote or not immediately important. A "daydream", on the other hand, is a series of pleasant thoughts that distract one from the present reality.

Is it correct to use "distant thought" to describe a forgotten memory?

While you can use "distant thought" to describe a memory that is not at the forefront of your mind, phrases like "fading memory" or "repressed memory" might be more appropriate if the memory is difficult to recall or has been consciously suppressed.