had the same thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'had the same thought' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to two or more people having the same thought, idea, or opinion. For example, "We both had the same thought of visiting the museum when we saw the advertisement on TV."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

When was the last time you were ending your day and thought to yourself, "I didn't accomplish anything today?" I have had the same thought.

Huffington Post

Tillinger had the same thought.

The New Yorker

"Sundance and I had the same thought.

The New York Times

He had the same thought after Friday's round.

The New York Times

Walking behind him, I had the same thought.

The New Yorker

They must have had the same thought processes.

The New Yorker

Many central bankers have had the same thought.

The New York Times

And we both had the same thought: "Fantastic.

The Guardian - Books

Someone in the kitchen obviously had the same thought.

The New York Times

Clearly Lucy Rose has had the same thought.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Jason had the same thoughts.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had the same thought" to emphasize a spontaneous agreement or a surprising parallel in thinking between two or more people. It works well when highlighting a moment of shared understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "had the same thought" to describe actions that were pre-planned or coordinated. This phrase implies a simultaneous and independent realization, not a collaborated effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had the same thought" functions as a verb phrase indicating a shared cognitive experience. It is used to express that two or more individuals independently arrived at a similar idea or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English and showcases its frequent use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had the same thought" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that multiple individuals independently arrived at a similar idea or understanding. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it highlights shared cognitive experiences, emphasizing agreement or surprising parallels in thinking. While versatile, it's essential to reserve it for spontaneous, independent realizations rather than pre-planned collaborations. Alternatives like "reached a similar conclusion" or "were on the same wavelength" can offer varying degrees of formality or informality, enriching your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared the same idea

Focuses specifically on the idea being shared, rather than the thinking process.

thought alike

This is a more concise and direct way of saying they shared similar thoughts, implying a natural alignment of thinking.

came to the same conclusion

Highlights the convergence of thought processes leading to a shared result.

were on the same wavelength

An idiomatic expression suggesting a harmonious understanding or shared perspective.

saw eye to eye

Indicates complete agreement and shared viewpoint.

were of one mind

Emphasizes a complete unity of thought and purpose.

concurred in their thinking

A more formal way of saying they agreed in their thoughts or opinions.

found common ground

Highlights the discovery of shared beliefs or understanding after potentially different starting points.

reasoned similarly

Focuses on the similar reasoning processes employed to arrive at a conclusion.

harbored similar notions

Implies a somewhat private or subjective sharing of ideas or beliefs.

FAQs

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

You can use phrases like "reached a similar conclusion" or "concurred in their thinking" to convey a more formal tone.

What's a more casual way to say "had the same thought"?

Informal alternatives include "were on the same wavelength" or "saw eye to eye".

In what situations is it appropriate to use "had the same thought"?

Use "had the same thought" when you want to highlight a moment of shared understanding or a surprising coincidence in thinking between individuals. It is most effective when the thought is spontaneous and not pre-arranged.

Is there a subtle difference in meaning between "shared the same idea" and "had the same thought"?

"Shared the same idea" focuses more on the content of the idea itself, while "had the same thought" emphasizes the process of independently arriving at that idea. The latter suggests a parallel in thinking, while the former simply indicates agreement on a concept.