makes me think of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "makes me think of" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to express thoughts or associations that are evoked by something else. Here is an example: The smell of freshly baked bread always makes me think of my childhood home.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thinking about these things makes me think of other aspects of sunrise and sunset.

The Washington Post

Makes me think of Grandma.

The New Yorker

It makes me think of Rossetti.

The New York Times

It makes me think of the Beatles.

The New Yorker

A DOWNPOUR makes me think of dance.

The New York Times

"It makes me think of the banks.

The Guardian

Makes me think of Piero Umiliani's compositions.

Stanford University

"This makes me think of Bobby Gillespie.

The Guardian - Music

It makes me think of Guantánamo Bay.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He said: "It makes me think of the banks.

Independent

It makes me think of the Rolling Stones in France".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "makes me think of" to create relatable connections with your audience by referencing shared cultural touchstones or common experiences.

Common error

In academic or professional contexts, relying too heavily on "makes me think of" can sound subjective. Opt for more objective language like "this suggests" or "this implies" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes me think of" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express a connection or association between two distinct concepts or experiences. As Ludwig AI points out, it serves to link a current observation with a related thought or memory. The numerous examples on Ludwig showcase its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "makes me think of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express associations between ideas or experiences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently employed across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic writing. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal settings; formal contexts may benefit from alternatives like "this suggests" or "this implies". Key takeaways include its ability to create relatable connections and the importance of avoiding overuse in formal communication. Exploring alternatives such as "reminds me of" or "brings to mind" can enrich your writing and adapt to different communicative purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reminds me of

Focuses on triggering a memory or association.

I am reminded of

Passive voice, emphasizing the experience of remembering.

brings to mind

Emphasizes the act of something causing a thought to surface.

calls to mind

Similar to "brings to mind" but slightly more literary.

I associate with

Highlights a personal connection or link.

it evokes the idea of

More formal, focuses on the feeling or concept created.

conjures up images of

Suggests vivid mental pictures or scenes.

that gives me the idea of

Highlights idea generation due to a trigger.

that sparks the thought of

Focuses on sudden thought emergence.

that suggests to me

More polite and tentative way of expressing association.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "reminds me of", "brings to mind", or "I associate with" depending on the context.

Is "makes me think of" formal or informal?

The phrase "makes me think of" is generally considered informal. While acceptable in many contexts, it may be better to use more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing.

How to use "makes me think of" in a sentence?

Use "makes me think of" to express a connection or association between two things. For example, "The smell of rain always makes me think of my childhood home."

What's the difference between "makes me think of" and "reminds me of"?

"Makes me think of" expresses a broader association, while "reminds me of" implies a more direct memory or recollection.