fleeting thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"fleeting thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a thought that quickly passes or disappears. For example: "The fleeting thought of sailing away on a luxurious yacht crossed my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

I remember, while doing the cocaine, having a fleeting thought about feeling pain the next day, but I thought it would be because of the drugs and not because I would spend my evening fucking up my back to the point that it now hurts to get up.

Vice

They could not figure it out and thought something must be wrong". It was more than a fleeting thought, of course.

Los Angeles Times

But it's a fleeting thought.

The Guardian - Opinion

And there's a fleeting thought in my mind: I shouldn't let her do this last one".

The New Yorker

He talked about it too much for it to have been just a fleeting thought.

The New York Times

It's a fleeting thought, because Poppy, having got one paw wet, has retreated to drier sand.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

I have experienced fleeting thoughts about the disappearance of forests most of my adult life.

The New Yorker

Fleeting thoughts, some of them ridiculously humdrum, inevitably pass through your mind as you listen.

The New York Times - Arts

Watching this work was like seeing fleeting thoughts made briefly visible.

The New York Times - Arts

Connect, maybe, but that seems ambitious; we'll settle for a place where we can put weird, fleeting thoughts.

The New Yorker

Drawing, though busily abundant, feels incidental, like fleeting thoughts of a mind in the grip of an extreme emotion.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleeting thought" to describe a thought that appears briefly in your mind and then disappears quickly. It can add a touch of introspection or convey a sense of impermanence in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting thought" when you intend to describe a well-considered, long-term plan or idea. The term suggests impermanence and should only be used for brief, passing thoughts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a brief, passing idea or notion. Ludwig shows numerous examples across various domains, confirming its role in expressing transient mental occurrences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fleeting thought" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes a transient idea or notion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and wide applicability. It's commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, indicating its suitability for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that you are accurately portraying the brief and passing nature of the thought you are describing. Alternative phrases like "passing notion" or "brief idea" can be used to add variety to your writing while maintaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting idea

Simply swaps "thought" with "idea", keeping the "fleeting" aspect the same.

transient thought

Uses "transient" instead of "fleeting", highlighting the temporary nature of the thought.

short-lived thought

Replaces "fleeting" with "short-lived", directly indicating the temporary nature of the thought.

ephemeral thought

Replaces "fleeting" with "ephemeral", adding a more formal tone to describe something short-lived.

passing notion

Replaces "thought" with "notion" and "fleeting" with "passing", emphasizing the brief nature of the idea.

brief idea

Substitutes "thought" with "idea" and "fleeting" with "brief", maintaining a simple and direct meaning.

quick thought

Emphasizes the speed of the thought using the word "quick" in place of "fleeting".

momentary consideration

Replaces "thought" with "consideration" and "fleeting" with "momentary", suggesting a brief instance of thinking about something.

fleeting impression

Changes "thought" to "impression", focusing on a brief mental image or feeling.

passing fancy

Alters the phrase to describe a short-lived desire or idea using the term "fancy".

FAQs

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

You can use "fleeting thought" to describe a thought that quickly passes through your mind. For example, "A "fleeting thought" of quitting crossed my mind, but I dismissed it immediately."

What can I say instead of "fleeting thought"?

You can use alternatives like "passing notion", "brief idea", or "transient thought" depending on the context.

Is "fleeting thought" a common expression?

Yes, ""fleeting thought"" is a commonly used expression to describe a thought that quickly passes through one's mind.

What does "fleeting thought" imply?

"Fleeting thought" implies that the thought is not dwelled upon or given serious consideration; it's a temporary mental occurrence.