had the same idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had the same idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that two or more people independently came up with the same thought or concept. Example: "When we discussed our plans for the project, I realized that we had the same idea about the approach we should take."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others apparently had the same idea.

The New Yorker

(Ms. Wintour had the same idea).

The New York Times

He had the same idea in 1998.

The New York Times

His French contemporaries had the same idea.

The New York Times - Arts

"We had the same idea!

The Guardian - Travel

[INAUDIBLE] statisticians had the same idea.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Lots of others had the same idea.

The Washington Post

Others have had the same idea.

The New York Times

Other farmers had the same idea.

The New York Times

Dame Vera Lynn's had the same idea.

The Guardian - Music

Unfortunately, their tenant had the same idea.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had the same idea" to clearly and concisely express that multiple individuals independently came up with the same concept or plan. It's a straightforward way to show agreement or shared thinking.

Common error

While "had the same idea" is useful, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "shared the same thought" or "came to the same conclusion" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had the same idea" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that two or more subjects independently arrived at a similar thought, plan, or concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Academia

10%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had the same idea" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate that multiple parties independently conceived a similar thought or plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, its high frequency across diverse sources like news media and academia underscores its widespread acceptability and neutral register. While straightforward, varying your phrasing with alternatives like "shared the same thought" or "were on the same wavelength" can enhance your writing style. Remember to use "had" for past events and "have" for present scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared the same thought

Replaces "idea" with "thought", emphasizing the mental process rather than the resulting concept.

came to the same conclusion

Focuses on reaching a similar judgment or decision after considering something.

arrived at a similar notion

Uses "notion" as a synonym for "idea", adding a slightly more formal tone.

conceived of the same concept

Highlights the mental creation aspect, using "conceived" and "concept" for a more formal tone.

thought along the same lines

Indicates a parallel direction in thinking, rather than an identical idea.

were on the same wavelength

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey a shared understanding or thinking pattern.

saw eye to eye on that

Emphasizes agreement and shared perspective regarding a specific matter.

independently devised the same plan

Highlights the independent and intentional nature of creating a similar plan.

converged on a similar strategy

Implies that different paths of thought led to a shared strategic approach.

paralleled each other's thinking

Focuses on the similarity and simultaneous nature of the thought processes.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had the same idea" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "arrived at a similar notion" or "conceived of the same concept". These options add a layer of sophistication to your writing.

Is it correct to say "have the same idea" instead of "had the same idea"?

Yes, "have the same idea" is correct when referring to a present or ongoing situation. "Had the same idea" is used when referring to something that occurred in the past. Example: "We "have the same idea" about the project's direction" (present) vs. "We "had the same idea" about the project's direction during the initial meeting" (past).

What's a more idiomatic way to say "had the same idea"?

An idiomatic alternative is "were on the same wavelength". This suggests a shared understanding or intuitive agreement.

When is it appropriate to use "thought along the same lines" instead of "had the same idea"?

"Thought along the same lines" is suitable when individuals are pursuing similar but not necessarily identical concepts. It implies a parallel approach rather than an exact duplicate of the idea. It is a more nuanced way of expressing that people "thought along the same lines".