had no thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had no thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack of consideration or contemplation about something in the past. Example: "At that moment, he had no thought of the consequences of his actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

I had no thought of deserting her.

The New Yorker

When Bourne finished school, he had no thought of university.

The New Yorker

"For two years, we had no thought of collaborating.

The New Yorker

At first, he had no thought of buying a home.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I had no thought of going to the ballgame.

The New York Times - Sports

I had no thought of being corrupt," Mr. Liu said in court.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

In his four-day trial here in Federal District Court, his lawyers argued that Mr. DeChristopher was passionate but impulsive, and had no thought-out "plan" or "scheme" — words central to the language of the charges — to ruin the auction by buying nearly $1.8 million worth of oil and gas leases with no intent to pay.

The New York Times

I had no thoughts of failing".

The New York Times - Sports

I had no thoughts of Germany then.

The New York Times

I had no thoughts about the bases loaded.

The New York Times - Sports

Needless to say, she had no thoughts on what had happened to her last year.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had no thought" to clearly express a lack of prior consideration or intention regarding a specific action or outcome. It effectively conveys that something was not contemplated or planned.

Common error

While "had no thought" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make it sound less sophisticated. In such cases, consider alternatives like "did not anticipate" or "did not consider" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had no thought" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a lack of consideration, intention, or awareness in the past. As Ludwig AI shows, it is commonly used to indicate that someone did not contemplate or plan for a particular outcome or action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

9%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had no thought" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a lack of consideration, intention, or awareness. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the tone and formality of your writing, as more sophisticated alternatives may be preferable in certain situations. Key takeaways include using it to express a complete absence of consideration, and understanding its distinct nuance compared to similar phrases like "had no idea". Remember that it is useful for general narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had no idea

Highlights a lack of knowledge or awareness.

never crossed my mind

Emphasizes that something was completely outside one's thinking.

never occurred to

Highlights that something wasn't even contemplated.

didn't consider

Emphasizes a lack of consideration or deliberation.

was oblivious

Stresses a complete lack of awareness.

had no intention

Specifically denotes a lack of purpose or plan.

didn't anticipate

Stresses a lack of foresight or prediction.

didn't imagine

Focuses on a lack of anticipation or visualization.

was unaware

Focuses on a lack of knowledge or perception.

wasn't expecting

Indicates surprise or a lack of preparation.

FAQs

How can I use "had no thought" in a sentence?

You can use "had no thought" to indicate a lack of prior consideration or intention. For instance, "She "had no thought" of the consequences when she made the decision."

What can I say instead of "had no thought"?

Alternatives include "didn't consider", "had no intention", or "never occurred to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "had no thought" or "didn't think about"?

"Had no thought" emphasizes a complete absence of consideration, while "didn't think about" implies a brief or passing lack of attention. The better choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "had no idea" and "had no thought"?

"Had no idea" indicates a lack of knowledge or awareness, while "had no thought" indicates a lack of consideration or intention. While both express a lack, the focus is different: knowledge versus consideration.