looming thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The use of the phrase 'looming thought' is generally correct and can be used in written English. It is typically used to describe an idea or a thought that is intrusive or persistent, and often has a negative connotation. For example, "The looming thought of failure weighed heavily on his mind as he prepared for the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Anybody involved in this industry, right down to the ticket taker and the parking attendant, there was that looming thought daily since the All-Star break as to whether we were going to play," Leiter said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Commonwealth Games were looming and the thought of anything threatening that was not funny.

The Guardian - Sport

To add to the stress of applying to art schools, there was a thought looming in the back of my mind: apply to his school, get into the decent art program, and begin my life with him.

Huffington Post

My body tensed, but even with the palpable sense of looming violence, the only thought racing through my head was: where is my left shoe?

The New York Times - Arts

In Robbie Conal's "MITTBUBBLE," a perplexed Mitt Romney rolls his eyes up searching for the right words, yet the empty thought bubble looming above his person illustrates the unlikelihood of his victory over speech.

Huffington Post

Through the summers, when red berries dotted the encroaching green brush; through the winters, when the looming emptiness conjured Stephen King thoughts.

The New York Times

So thank goodness the San Francisco bus company, Bauer, is distracting commuters from thoughts of looming death and decrepitude with a muffin and a cup of coffee.

The Guardian - Money

His wife is hinting at her desire for separation; his producer is hounding him for the scenario of his next film; his mistress is whispering dirty nothings in his ear; and then there's his mother, who keeps looming up in his thoughts to ask if he's all right.

The New Yorker

Thomas Aquinas finished only the first two sections of his "Summa Theologica" -- a work that would loom over philosophical thought for centuries -- before (according to some biographers) he hit his head on a branch while riding a donkey and plunged into his final illness.

The New York Times

With the temperature beginning to dip, one can almost hear the clock ticking as the winter months, i.e. hibernation time, looms and the thought of sharing that time with a significant other feels like a far preferable alternative to spending the city's darkest months alone.

Huffington Post

In recent interviews here, most Iraqis, like Mr. Shimari, say they have given little or no thought to the looming anniversary, which falls on Wednesday, though the sight of foreign television news crews conducting stand-ups in the city this week will remind them that the war, for the conquerors anyway, is something to be reflected upon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looming thought" to effectively convey a sense of unease or anxiety caused by a persistent idea or concern that feels close to materializing.

Common error

Avoid using "looming thought" in contexts that are meant to be positive or neutral, as it carries a connotation of impending negativity or threat. Opt for words that suggest anticipation or excitement rather than foreboding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looming thought" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "looming" acts as a participle adjective modifying the noun "thought". As suggested by Ludwig AI, it typically describes an intrusive or persistent idea with negative connotations. Examples in Ludwig show it used in news and media to describe anxieties or concerns.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looming thought" is a grammatically sound expression used to depict a sense of impending anxiety or unease. Ludwig AI indicates that it's commonly found in news and media contexts. It effectively conveys the feeling that a negative outcome or worry is growing closer and more unavoidable. While versatile, it should be used cautiously in positive contexts due to its inherent negative connotation. Alternatives include "impending idea" or "nagging feeling" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impending thought

Swaps 'looming' for 'impending', emphasizing imminence over oppressiveness.

overhanging thought

Uses 'overhanging' to suggest the thought is prominent and casting a shadow.

impending idea

Focuses on the idea being about to happen, removing the element of intrusion.

intrusive thought

Emphasizes the unwelcome and disruptive nature of the thought.

shadowy idea

Conveys a sense of mystery or uncertainty surrounding the thought.

nagging feeling

Shifts the focus to the emotional aspect of a persistent thought or concern.

pressing concern

Highlights the urgency and importance of the thought.

lurking suspicion

Suggests a hidden, unsettling thought that's difficult to shake off.

haunting memory

Emphasizes the past and its ability to affect one's present state of mind.

presentiment of danger

Focuses specifically on a feeling that something bad is about to happen.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "looming thought" in a sentence?

To use "looming thought" effectively, ensure the context involves a sense of unease, anxiety, or impending negativity. For example, "The "looming thought" of the project's deadline kept her awake at night".

What's a good alternative to "looming thought" when I want to express anticipation without negativity?

If you want to convey anticipation without negativity, try phrases like "eagerly awaited idea", "anticipated concept", or "approaching plan". These avoid the negative connotation associated with "looming".

Is it appropriate to use "looming thought" in formal writing?

Yes, "looming thought" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to express a sense of impending unease or anxiety. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your piece. Alternatives like "impending consideration" may be more suitable in some formal contexts.

How does "looming thought" differ from "intrusive thought"?

"Looming thought" suggests an impending sense of unease or anxiety related to a specific idea or concern, while "intrusive thought" refers to an unwelcome and often distressing thought that spontaneously enters one's mind. The former is about anticipation, the latter about intrusion.