had in mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'had in mind' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to indicate that you are thinking about something or when you are referring to a specific plan or idea. Example sentence: I had already had the dinner menu in mind before I arrived at the restaurant.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(She had in mind classic Chelsea girls).

The New York Times

Not what I had in mind.

The New York Times - Sports

Not what she had in mind.

The New York Times - Sports

Jesus had in mind absolution from sin.

Independent

I had in mind the country life.

The New York Times

Who might he have had in mind?

The New York Times - Sports

I knew what they had in mind.

The New Yorker

That wasn't what Marouf had in mind.

The New Yorker

That's undoubtedly what Shakespeare had in mind.

The New York Times

Is this what Clark had in mind?

The New York Times - Magazine

The destination his "friend" had in mind?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone else's intentions, ensure the context provides enough information for clarity. For example, "The architect had in mind a design that would blend seamlessly with the natural landscape."

Common error

Avoid using "have in mind" when referring to a past intention. The correct form is "had in mind" to indicate a past plan or idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had in mind" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a past intention, plan, or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had in mind" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express a prior intention, plan, or idea. As Ludwig AI points out, it's most appropriately used in the past tense to accurately reflect the timing of the intention. Predominantly featured in news and media sources, and also used in scientific contexts, this phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for broad application. When writing, remember to use "had in mind" to indicate a past intention rather than the present tense form and consider alternatives like "was intending" or "was planning" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was intending

Directly states the purpose or aim one had.

was planning

Highlights the aspect of making arrangements or steps towards a specific goal.

was considering

Focuses on the act of thinking about something as a possibility, without necessarily implying a concrete plan.

was aiming for

Suggests a target or desired outcome.

was contemplating

Implies a more thoughtful and prolonged consideration of something.

had as a goal

Emphasizes the objective or desired result.

was envisioning

Emphasizes the mental image or vision of something in the future.

had in contemplation

A more formal way of saying "was considering".

had under consideration

Highlights that something was being actively thought about.

was meditating on

Focuses on the deep thinking and reflection of a particular subject or idea.

FAQs

How can I use "had in mind" in a sentence?

Use "had in mind" to express a past intention or plan. For example, "She "had in mind" a quiet evening at home, but her friends surprised her with a party."

What's a more formal way to say "had in mind"?

More formal alternatives include "had under consideration" or "had in contemplation", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "have in mind" when referring to the past?

No, "have in mind" is present tense. Use ""had in mind"" for past intentions or plans.

What's the difference between "had in mind" and "was thinking of"?

"Had in mind" suggests a more concrete plan or intention, while "was thinking of" implies a more general consideration. For example, "I "had in mind" booking a specific hotel," versus "I was thinking of going on vacation".