little thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"little thought" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually means "not much thought" or "not enough thought." It can be used in a variety of contexts to convey that something was not carefully considered or planned. Example: Despite the importance of the decision, she gave little thought to its consequences.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They gave little thought to the future.

Independent

We gave little thought to past events.

The Guardian - Books

Some give little thought to where the qualification might lead.

The Economist

Many left with little thought of holy war.

The Economist

After a little thought your correspondent was dubbed: Mad Scrip.

The Economist

They gave little thought to the consequences of leaving.

The New York Times

They harbor little thought of un-mass-mediated culture.

The New York Times

But little thought was given to the consequences downstream.

The New York Times - Science

They gave little thought to setting up a standard practice.

The New York Times - Arts

I gave little thought to who those men were.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now, do a little thought-experiment with me.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little thought" to directly convey that something was not carefully considered or planned. This phrase works well when criticizing a decision or highlighting a lack of foresight.

Common error

While "little thought" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "scant consideration" or "insufficient attention" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little thought" functions as a verb phrase when used in sentences like "They gave "little thought" to the consequences." It indicates a lack of consideration or insufficient attention to a particular matter. Ludwig confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little thought" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates a lack of consideration or insufficient attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable across a range of contexts. Usage ranges from formal to informal, with a strong presence in news and media. When using "little thought", consider synonyms like "scant consideration" or "insufficient attention" to add variety to your writing. Remember to avoid overuse, and ensure that the chosen phrase accurately reflects the degree of consideration, or lack thereof, that you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negligible consideration

Indicates that the level of consideration was so small it's practically nonexistent.

scant consideration

Emphasizes the minimal amount of attention given.

inadequate thought

Highlights the insufficient nature of the thinking process.

insufficient attention

Directly points out the inadequacy of the attention given.

cursory attention

Highlights the superficial nature of the attention paid.

superficial thought

Focuses on the lack of depth in thinking.

minimal deliberation

Focuses on the lack of careful discussion or analysis.

passing thought

Suggests a fleeting or brief moment of consideration.

fleeting consideration

Similar to "passing thought", emphasizing the briefness of the attention.

hasty reflection

Implies a quick and possibly ill-considered thought process.

FAQs

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

You can use "little thought" to indicate a lack of consideration or planning. For example: "They gave "little thought" to the consequences of their actions."

What are some alternatives to "little thought"?

Alternatives include "scant consideration", "cursory attention", or "insufficient attention", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "gave little thought to" or "gave no thought to"?

"Gave "little thought" to" suggests some minimal consideration, while "gave no thought to" indicates a complete lack of consideration. The best choice depends on the degree of consideration you want to express.

What's the difference between "little thought" and "afterthought"?

"Little thought" implies a general lack of consideration from the beginning. An "afterthought" is an idea or consideration that occurs later, often as a secondary or belated consideration.