odd thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "odd thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a peculiar or unusual idea that comes to mind. Example: "I had an odd thought while walking in the park; what if trees could talk?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Here's an odd thought.

The New York Times - Arts

As Wes took this force in, digested it, he had an odd thought.

The New Yorker

An odd thought enters his mind: perhaps he needs a metaphorical bombing to simplify his life once more.

The New York Times

In an interview last week, Ms. Watt said she had the odd thought, "I've never seen a plane in that airspace before".

The New York Times

College football's news includes the odd thought that Boise State may have lost ground even in victory Wednesday night and the inspiring story of how Cincinnati's team has adopted a young cancer patient.

The New York Times

In that great parliamentary hall it was an odd thought, since Britain is the only Western democracy that is part-theocracy, with its 26 unelected bishops sitting as law-makers in the House of Lords.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

At this week's meeting of the International Astronomical Union, astronomers were asked to entertain equally odd thoughts when they were presented with the latest evidence that some early galaxies, although smaller than their more recent counterparts, contain much more mass.

The Economist

Then I have an odd thought--where is "happy" in my brain?

Science Magazine

She consciously placed the depression and odd thoughts aside to focus on getting home.

Huffington Post

I feel sad that my mom was part of a generation that felt so ashamed of any odd thoughts or odd behaviors that she couldn't really laugh at what made her unique, fantastic and also impossible.

Huffington Post

However, the study by Weisbrot and colleagues [ 17] demonstrated a link between odd thoughts, strange beliefs and illogical thinking (considered as symptoms of thought disorder according to MCDD criteria), in highly anxious ASD children who also experienced hallucinations.

European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "odd thought" when you want to describe an idea that is unusual, unexpected, or slightly strange that crosses your mind.

Common error

Avoid using "odd thought" excessively in formal or academic writing; opt for more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "unconventional idea" or "novel concept" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "odd thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "odd" modifies the noun "thought". Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing examples where it appears to introduce a peculiar or unusual idea. It can act as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "odd thought" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for describing an unusual or peculiar idea. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and offers several examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to semi-formal contexts, and more precise language may be preferred in formal or academic writing. Alternative phrases such as "strange idea" or "peculiar notion" can provide nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strange idea

This alternative places more emphasis on the unusual nature of the idea.

peculiar notion

This alternative uses a more formal term to describe the idea as strange or uncommon.

unusual concept

This alternative focuses on the unconventional or rare nature of the concept.

weird idea

This alternative implies the idea is bizarre or unsettling.

bizarre thought

This alternative emphasizes the strangeness or outlandishness of the thought.

curious idea

This alternative suggests the idea is intriguing and worth exploring.

strange feeling

This alternative replaces the "thought" with "feeling", shifting the focus to an unusual sensation.

funny feeling

This alternative implies a slight amusement or lightheartedness to the sensation.

passing thought

This alternative describes a fleeting idea that quickly disappears from attention.

fleeting idea

This alternative underscores the temporary nature of the thought, emphasizing its brief existence.

FAQs

How can I use "odd thought" in a sentence?

You can use "odd thought" to describe a strange or unusual idea that comes to mind. For example: "I had an "odd thought" while walking in the park; what if trees could talk?"

What can I say instead of "odd thought"?

You can use alternatives like "strange idea", "peculiar notion", or "unusual concept" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "odd thought"?

Yes, "odd thought" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of an adjective modifying a noun.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "odd thought"?

The phrase "odd thought" is appropriate in informal and creative contexts, where you want to convey a sense of something strange or unexpected. However, in more formal or academic settings, a more precise term may be preferred.