mind turned to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mind turned to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that someone is thinking about or focusing on a particular subject or issue. Example: "As the deadline approached, my mind turned to the challenges we faced in completing the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

My mind turned to Shakespeare.

The New York Times - Books

My mind turned to Samuel Beckett.

The Guardian

Trump's mind turned to his buildings.

The Guardian

But this time, for some reason (jet lag?), my mind turned to others.

The New York Times

His mind turned to a clipping someone had given him from a women's magazine.

The New York Times

But with news of the proposed trade, her mind turned to the Knicks.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Immediately your mind turns to doctors, lawyers, long-awaited appointments.

The Guardian - Arts

Yet now my mind turns to my favorite Brown work of all, "Set and Reset".

The New York Times - Arts

MENTION secession in Canada, and the mind turns to Quebec, and perhaps the restive western provinces.

The Economist

Instead, his mind turning to Joycean and cyclical form, he choreographed "The Seasons" (1947).

The New York Times - Arts

A Hot-Rodder is a hobbyist whose mind turns to automobiles.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mind turned to" when you want to express a shift in someone's thoughts or focus towards a particular subject, especially after a period of distraction or different considerations.

Common error

Avoid using "mind turned to" when a more direct or active verb is appropriate. This phrase suggests a more passive or reflective process, rather than a deliberate decision or action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mind turned to" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a shift in one's thoughts or focus. Ludwig AI suggests this phrase is grammatically sound and can be used to illustrate a transition in mental attention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mind turned to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression indicating a shift in thought or focus. As noted by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, academia, and general media. While alternatives like "started thinking about" or ""shifted focus to"" exist, "mind turned to" specifically highlights a somewhat passive or reflective transition in mental attention. It's a versatile phrase, suitable for describing changes in thought processes in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turned attention to

Highlights a redirection of focus towards a new subject.

started thinking about

Emphasizes the initiation of thought processes regarding a specific subject.

shifted focus to

Highlights a change in attention from one subject to another.

began to consider

Focuses on the commencement of consideration rather than a mental shift.

began to ponder

Implies starting a period of reflection or contemplation.

gave thought to

Suggests a deliberate consideration of a particular topic.

reflected upon

Focuses on thoughtful consideration of past events or experiences.

contemplated

Implies a deeper level of thought and reflection.

considered the possibility of

Indicates pondering a specific potential outcome or action.

brooded over

Suggests a deep, often troubled, consideration of a subject.

FAQs

How can I use "mind turned to" in a sentence?

Use "mind turned to" to indicate a shift in someone's thoughts or focus. For example, "After the meeting, my "mind turned to" the upcoming deadline".

What are some alternatives to "mind turned to"?

Alternatives include "started thinking about", "shifted focus to", or "contemplated", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "mind turned to" or "attention turned to"?

"Mind turned to" emphasizes a mental shift, while "attention turned to" highlights a shift in focus or observation. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize thought or external awareness.

What's the difference between "mind turned to" and "mind reverted to"?

"Mind turned to" indicates a new direction of thought, whereas "mind reverted to" suggests a return to a previous thought or topic. The difference lies in whether the thought is new or a recurring one.