faraway thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "faraway thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a thought that is distant, either in terms of physical location or in terms of being abstract or not immediately relevant. Example: "As she gazed out the window, her mind drifted into a faraway thought about her childhood adventures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But that is a faraway thought.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If Shin can do that well in faraway Italy, think what's he's likely to do in China.

Forbes

But the pain of separation becomes quite different when one of the wives looks at the last bus in the lineup, and sees that it holds "a threat that had never occurred to any of them when they thought of faraway insurgents and bombs and helicopters crashing".

The New York Times - Books

Andrey Desnitsky, a Russian scholar and columnist who was in his early twenties at the time, remembered those events in a piece published this week on the news Web site Gazeta.ru: At night we heard faraway shooting, and we thought, here it is — they are beginning to storm.

The New Yorker

So were a few curried New Zealand mussels (lest you think faraway ingredients are unavailable here) on a bed of salt.

The New York Times - Travel

The Dioullas were attacked again and are today thought to have fled to faraway towns and villages.

The New York Times

Sophocles reckoned it was actually from tears produced by faraway birds called the meleagrides; Plutarch, less poetically, thought it was frozen lynx urine.

Forbes

Basically, he has shown me that you don't have to seek answers only in faraway places, and I think I've shown him that there are some great places faraway.

The New York Times

Her Irish family thought her makeover as Mrs Lanchester in faraway Hong Kong a form of snobbery.

The Economist

Just a few years ago, we thought terrorism was something that happened in faraway countries, like Israel.

The New York Times

"I was watching a performance by one of those famous dancers who had that faraway look, dreaming of true love," Bourne remembers, "and I thought: what if those swans were men?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "faraway thought" to evoke a sense of dreamy detachment or contemplation about something distant in time or space. For example, 'As she listened to the music, she was lost in a faraway thought of her childhood.'

Common error

Avoid using "faraway thought" when you simply mean a thought about a distant location. Instead, reserve it for thoughts that carry a sense of abstraction or emotional distance, not just geographical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "faraway thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'faraway' modifies 'thought'. It describes a specific type of thought characterized by its distance or abstract nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, underscoring its role in conveying a particular nuance of contemplation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

20%

Books

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "faraway thought" is a grammatically sound but relatively uncommon noun phrase used to describe a thought that is distant, abstract, or characterized by a sense of detachment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s perfectly acceptable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Books contexts, the phrase evokes a sense of contemplation or dreamy abstraction, rather than referring to a literal physical distance. Consider using alternatives like "distant idea" or "remote contemplation" for similar effect, and avoid using "faraway thought" when simply referring to a thought about a distant place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distant idea

Emphasizes the remoteness of the idea.

remote contemplation

Highlights the detachment and distance of the thinking process.

abstract notion

Focuses on the theoretical and non-concrete nature of the thought.

vague concept

Stresses the lack of clarity and definition in the thought.

ethereal musing

Suggests a thought that is light, airy, and almost unreal.

fleeting daydream

Indicates a temporary and insubstantial thought.

uncharted idea

Implies a thought that is unexplored and unfamiliar.

hypothetical consideration

Highlights the speculative and conditional nature of the thought.

theoretical construct

Emphasizes the idea's basis in theory rather than practical reality.

detached reflection

Focuses on the lack of emotional involvement in the thought.

FAQs

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

You can use "faraway thought" to describe a state of being lost in contemplation about something distant or abstract. For example: "She had a faraway thought about what her life might have been like if she had made different choices."

What is a good alternative to "faraway thought"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "distant idea", "remote contemplation", or "abstract notion".

What does it mean to have a "faraway look"?

Having a "faraway look" suggests that someone is lost in thought, often about something distant or wistful. It implies a sense of detachment from the immediate surroundings.

Is "faraway thought" a common expression?

While grammatically correct, "faraway thought" is not as common as other phrases describing similar concepts. Expressions like "distant thought" or "wandering mind" might be more frequently used.