made me think of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made me think of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something has triggered a thought or memory related to another subject or idea. Example: "The song played on the radio made me think of my childhood summers spent at the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Made me think of my own grave".

The New York Times

"It made me think of my family".

The New York Times

The town made me think of pearls.

The New York Times - Magazine

It made me think of Thanksgiving.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It made me think of home.

The New Yorker

"The height, the peacefulness made me think of a cathedral".

The New York Times

I don't know what made me think of that.

The New Yorker

That immediately made me think of two things.

The New York Times

"It made me think of the Impressionists," Maluszynski said.

The New Yorker

It made me think of R in the same situation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

That's always made me think of The False Mirror.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made me think of" to express a connection between a current experience and a past memory or association. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Be mindful of overuse; varied phrasing can enhance your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "made me think of". Diversify your vocabulary with alternatives like "reminded me of" or "brought to mind" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made me think of" functions as a connector linking a present stimulus to a past memory, idea, or association. It indicates a cognitive connection prompted by something. Ludwig examples illustrate this, showing how various stimuli trigger different thoughts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Social Media

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made me think of" is a versatile phrase used to express a cognitive connection between a stimulus and a thought or memory. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, making it a valuable tool for expressing associations in both formal and informal contexts. While it's common in News & Media sources, diversifying with alternatives like "reminded me of" can enhance your writing. As such, be mindful of overuse and leverage the alternatives available to create engaging written pieces.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reminded me of

A direct and common way to indicate a similarity between two things.

brought to my mind

Focuses more on the act of recalling something, slightly more formal.

made me recall

Emphasizes the act of consciously remembering something.

I associated it with

Shows a direct association in thought

called to mind

More literary and evocative, suggesting a vivid recollection.

was reminiscent of

Formal and descriptive, emphasizing shared qualities or characteristics.

put me in mind of

An older, somewhat more formal way of saying "reminded me of".

evoked memories of

Highlights the emotional or sensory aspect of remembering.

conjured up thoughts of

Suggests a more imaginative or dreamlike association.

drew a parallel to

Highlights a comparison, often used to illustrate a point.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "made me think of"?

You can use alternatives like "reminded me of", "brought to mind", or "called to mind" depending on the context.

How do I use "made me think of" in a sentence?

Use "made me think of" to connect a current observation or experience to something else. For example, "The smell of rain always made me think of my grandmother's garden".

Is "made me think of" formal or informal?

"Made me think of" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "brought to mind" or "called to mind".

What's the difference between "made me think of" and "reminded me of"?

While "made me think of" and "reminded me of" are very similar, "reminded me of" directly suggests a memory or association was triggered, whereas "made me think of" can imply a broader range of connections, including new thoughts or ideas.