passed my mind

USAGE SUMMARY

"passed my mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something occurred to you or that a thought or idea occurred to you. Example: I really should tell my mom about the new job offer, but it completely passed my mind.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Sally Regenhard, whose son Christian, a firefighter, was killed in the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center, acknowledged that the thought of suicides at the memorial pools had "passed my mind — that people might think of really jumping in, in grief".

The New York Times

But as time passed, my mind would wander to the remaining child that could still be.

HuffPost

Because it was inside work that was a factor for me…It's passed my mind quite a few times but I think because it's during work hours it's given me more motivation because I probably wouldn't do anything in the evenings myself.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

While the miles slowly ticked away on the dusty but magnificent mountain pass, my mind wandered through the mesmerizing bursts of light and dark.

Huffington Post

As these thoughts passed through my mind, a soldier's hand waved me through the checkpoint.

The New York Times

Before I could stop it, an outrageous thought passed through my mind ― "I would rather die than feel fat". In that moment, it finally became clear to me that my parents were right.

HuffPost

Before I could stop it, an outrageous thought passed through my mind ― 'I would rather die than feel fat.' It was the first time I recognized the all-consuming power of an eating disorder.

HuffPost

But all my life passed through my mind.

The Guardian - Arts

I watched handshakes and introductions as a torrent of questions passed through my mind.

The New York Times

Perhaps I could set out some reflections that passed through my mind as I studied it.

The Guardian

Descriptives like erratic, uneven and careless passed through my mind as I ate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passed my mind" to indicate a thought that occurred to you, especially when emphasizing that you almost forgot or didn't initially consider it. It often implies a brief or fleeting thought.

Common error

Avoid using "passed my mind" when you mean you actively considered something for a longer period. Alternatives like "I considered" or "I thought about" are more appropriate for deliberate contemplation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passed my mind" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a thought or idea entered one's consciousness. As Ludwig AI also confirms, it means that something occurred to you, often briefly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passed my mind" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered expression used to indicate that a thought or idea occurred to someone, often fleetingly or without significant consideration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it implies a brief mental occurrence. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Scientific publications. Alternatives such as "crossed my mind" or "occurred to me" may offer more direct or emphasized connotations depending on the intended nuance. When writing, be mindful of the subtle implication of transience and nearly-forgotten thoughts that "passed my mind" conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crossed my mind

Similar in meaning, but implies a more transient or fleeting thought.

occurred to me

A more direct and common way of saying that a thought came to someone.

struck me

Implies a sudden or surprising realization.

came to me

Suggests the thought appeared spontaneously or unexpectedly.

entered my thoughts

A more formal way to describe a thought appearing.

flashed through my brain

Emphasizes the speed and brevity of the thought.

I considered

Implies a more deliberate and thoughtful process.

I entertained the idea

Suggests considering an idea, possibly without fully accepting it.

it was on my mind

Highlights that the thought was present and persistent.

the thought presented itself

A more passive and formal way of saying a thought occurred.

FAQs

What does "passed my mind" mean?

The phrase "passed my mind" means that a thought or idea occurred to you, often briefly or fleetingly. It suggests that you may not have given the thought much attention or importance at the time.

How can I use "passed my mind" in a sentence?

You can use "passed my mind" to explain that you almost forgot something or that a thought occurred to you without much deliberation. For example, "It completely "slipped my mind" to call her back; the idea only just passed my mind."

Which is correct, "passed my mind" or "passed through my mind"?

Both "passed my mind" and "passed through my mind" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Passed through my mind" suggests a more transient thought, while "passed my mind" can imply a thought that was nearly forgotten. Consider using "crossed my mind" as another alternative.

What's the difference between "passed my mind" and "occurred to me"?

"Occurred to me" is a more direct and common way of saying that a thought came to someone. "Passed my mind" often implies that the thought was less significant or almost forgotten. While similar you can use "struck me" to emphasize a sudden realization.