muse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "muse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a source of inspiration or when contemplating or reflecting on a subject. Example: "As she sat by the window, she began to muse about her childhood memories and the lessons they taught her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It proved, among other things, to be a shop window for his talents: Lucian Freud saw the fleshy Australian performance artist ("I found him perfectly beautiful") and made him his latest muse.

The Guardian - Arts

An early muse was the actor Li Tobler, with whom Giger had a tempestuous relationship.

The Guardian - Film

The radical film-maker Chris Petit used to muse about the aesthetic possibilities of movies made entirely from unmanned surveillance camera-footage of parking garages and service stations.

The Guardian - Film

In the accompanying notes to her latest collection, Diane Von Furstenberg says that the archetypal DVF woman "is the rock star and the muse of her own life".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ullmann, the leading lady of Scandi cinema, former muse and partner to Ingmar Bergman, pinup to a generation, is having a cappuccino in the basement of a private members club in Toronto.

The Guardian - Film

With her stylist and muse credentials, Valentine does have a touch more whimsy to her look than yer average head-to-toe-in-black French chicists but she adheres to the core principle that less is ultimately more.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Armed with her sheet music, a few photographs ("she looked nice, with her sweet mouth and the rope of hair over her shoulder") and the occasional cryptic detail released from his father's tight lips, Mr Wardle imagines a woman at once mysterious and angelic a muse-like mystery.

The Economist

The Democrats voted it down because they knew it would reduce entitlement benefits.Michael Muse HoustonElder underlingsSIR – Schumpeter wrote about coping with an ageing workforce (February 6th).

The Economist

But the film pays almost as much attention to Abduwali Abdukhadir Muse Barkhad Abdii), the shrewd teenaged pirate who declares himself to be "the captain" when he boards Phillips's vessel.Mr Greengrass and his screenwriter, Billy Ray, are eager to draw parallels between the two combatants in the narrative's battle-of-wits.

The Economist

But on December 8th, its purchase of 62% of Johns Manville, a building-products firm, was called off after Hicks Muse tried to renegotiate a much lower price.Its recent problems have arisen mainly in its investments in technology firms, and in particular in their publicly traded securities.

The Economist

His firm, Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst, is a private-equity firm whose job is to buy at the bottom of the market and sell at the top.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "muse" as a verb, ensure it's followed by a preposition like 'on' or 'about' to clearly indicate the subject of contemplation. For example: "She often mused about her future."

Common error

Avoid using "muse" as a direct synonym for "think" without considering the context. "Muse" implies a deeper, more reflective thought process, not just any thought.

Linguistic Context

The word "muse" functions as both a verb, denoting the act of pondering or reflecting, and a noun, signifying a source of inspiration. Ludwig examples illustrate both usages, aligning with the word's definition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "muse" is a versatile word functioning as both a verb and a noun, denoting thoughtful contemplation or a source of inspiration respectively. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage, highlighting its prevalence in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. Related phrases include "ponder" and "contemplate", offering similar nuances. When employing "muse", ensure the context aligns with reflective thought or creative influence, as it carries a more profound connotation than simple "thinking". Overall, "muse" is a powerful word to enhance descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ponder

Focuses on thoughtful consideration, similar to "muse" in its verb form.

contemplate

Implies a deeper, more sustained reflection.

reflect on

Highlights the act of thinking back on something.

source of inspiration

Replaces "muse" as a noun, emphasizing the origin of creative ideas.

creative influence

Highlights the impact on creativity.

inspiration

A more general term for a stimulating influence.

think deeply about

Emphasizes the intensity of thought.

meditate on

Suggests a more spiritual or introspective form of contemplation.

ruminate

Implies a slow, repetitive process of thought.

consider thoughtfully

Highlights the careful nature of the consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "muse" in a sentence?

You can use "muse" as a verb to mean to ponder or reflect, as in "She liked to "muse" about the meaning of life". As a noun, it refers to a source of inspiration, such as "She was his "muse" for many years".

What's the difference between "muse" and "ponder"?

"Ponder" generally refers to thinking carefully about something, while "muse" often implies a more dreamy, contemplative state. You might "ponder" a decision, but "muse" on a memory.

What can I say instead of "muse" (as a verb)?

You can use alternatives like "contemplate", "reflect", or "meditate", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am musing on this idea"?

Yes, "I am musing on this idea" is grammatically correct. It means you are thoughtfully considering or pondering the idea. You could also say, "I am "reflecting on" this idea".