out of mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of mind" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that is forgotten or not thought about, usually because of its lack of physical presence. For example: "After he moved away, his old friends were quickly out of mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Time out of mind- false.

The New Yorker

All out of mind.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or "Out of sight, out of mind".

The New York Times - Arts

Put the ABC's out of mind.

The New York Times

A few put their dead ancestors out of mind.

The New York Times

But out of sight is out of mind.

The Economist

But it was easy to put that out of mind.

The New York Times - Arts

I put it away, out of sight, out of mind".

Independent

Out of sight, though, means out of mind.

Independent

Tintin was his progeny, and rarely out of mind.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For him, it's an out-of-mind experience.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of mind" to emphasize that something is easily forgotten when it's not directly present or frequently considered.

Common error

Avoid using "out of mind" as a justification for neglecting important responsibilities. While it explains a tendency to forget, it doesn't excuse inaction or negligence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of mind" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often used predicatively to describe a state of being forgotten or no longer actively considered. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of mind" is a prepositional phrase indicating something is forgotten or no longer considered. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it serves to express that something is easily forgotten when absent. While generally neutral in register, its usage emphasizes the importance of presence and active consideration to avoid being "out of mind". Use it to describe forgotten things but avoid using it to excuse forgetting responsibilities. Alternatives include "forgotten" and "not remembered".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forgotten

Indicates a state of being no longer remembered or considered.

not remembered

Similar to forgotten, but emphasizes the action of not recalling something.

consigned to oblivion

Suggests a deliberate act of forgetting or ignoring something.

dismissed from thought

Emphasizes the conscious act of removing something from one's considerations.

no longer considered

Indicates a shift in perspective where something is no longer deemed important.

absent from consideration

Highlights the lack of inclusion in one's thoughts or plans.

unheeded

Implies that something has been ignored or disregarded.

passed over

Suggests a deliberate skipping or overlooking of something.

lapsed from memory

Indicates a gradual forgetting over time.

lost to awareness

Highlights the disappearance of something from one's consciousness.

FAQs

How can I use "out of mind" in a sentence?

You can use "out of mind" to describe something that is easily forgotten when not present, as in "After the project ended, it quickly became "out of mind"."

What does "out of sight, out of mind" mean?

The idiom "out of sight, out of mind" means that if you stop seeing someone or something, you quickly forget them. It suggests that things not immediately present are easily forgotten.

Are there situations where "out of mind" is not appropriate?

While generally acceptable, avoid using "out of mind" in contexts where intentional remembrance or diligence is expected. For instance, it's not appropriate to say "The deadline was "out of mind"" if you were specifically instructed to remember it.

What are some alternatives to saying "out of mind"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "forgotten", "not remembered", or "dismissed from thought" to convey similar meanings.