passing thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

"passing thoughts" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It generally refers to brief or fleeting thoughts that are not given much attention or consideration. This phrase can be used in a variety of contexts, such as in literature, psychology, or everyday conversations. Here are a few examples: - In the midst of her lecture, Sarah's mind was filled with passing thoughts about the weekend's plans. - The protagonist in the novel often found solace in his passing thoughts, imagining a life different from his own. - The therapist encouraged her patient to explore and reflect on his passing thoughts in order to better understand his emotions. - As she gazed out the window, Sarah's passing thoughts drifted to memories of her childhood home. - The politician's comment sparked a flurry of passing thoughts on social media, but quickly faded from the public's attention.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Every worker every day has passing thoughts unrelated to the job.

The New York Times - Magazine

The danger of overcommitting to passing thoughts by making them public isn't just a pitfall for teens.

The Guardian - Opinion

But these are left as passing thoughts, so Mr. Brokaw can get back to the easy and the obvious.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Fischl at his best is a teller of nonstories, of passing thoughts, indefinable tensions and denouements too negligible to notice.

The New York Times - Arts

"There were passing thoughts when I was out in the truck, that I could see doing this full time," he says.

The New York Times

As an assignment they should require each student to count up the quotes and names and sights and details and passing thoughts and rushes of burning interest that stuff each paragraph to the gunwales and over.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Unlike any recipe I have ever given, this one has not been tested and never shall be, nor is it recommended for anything but passing thought.

The New Yorker

But the power to broadcast any passing thought or utterance worldwide with the touch of a button for no cost with no delay is most appealing to the least responsible among us.

TechCrunch

Aimless hours pass, thoughts drift.

The New York Times - Travel

POTTS--George H., 1952-1997 The years have flown by Now a decade has passed Thoughts of you never die Our love shall ever last.

The New York Times

A few years passed, thoughts about motherhood remained and I not only reached my benchmark age of 35 but also started reading about research which had found that fertility begins to decline rapidly thereafter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passing thoughts" to describe fleeting or unimportant ideas that cross one's mind. It's useful for conveying a sense of spontaneity or lack of deep consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "passing thoughts" when you intend to describe recurring or obsessive thought patterns. The opposite of passing thoughts are those that linger and cause distress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing thoughts" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It describes the act of experiencing fleeting, often unimportant, ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passing thoughts" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe fleeting or transient ideas. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently employed in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it can range from formal to informal based on the overall tone of the piece and context. Related phrases include "fleeting thoughts" and "transient thoughts", which share similar meanings. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure it appropriately conveys the intended meaning and isn't confused with more persistent or obsessive thought patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting thoughts

Emphasizes the temporary and transient nature of the thoughts.

transient thoughts

Highlights the brief duration and impermanence of the thoughts.

fleeting ideas

Replaces "thoughts" with "ideas", focusing on the brief consideration of concepts.

momentary thoughts

Stresses the occurrence of thoughts within a specific, short-lived moment.

casual thoughts

Indicates thoughts that are not serious or deeply considered.

superficial thoughts

Suggests thoughts that lack depth or thoroughness.

brief reflections

Uses "reflections" instead of "thoughts", implying a short period of contemplation.

ephemeral thoughts

Similar to fleeting or transient, but with a more literary or poetic connotation.

quick notions

Replaces "thoughts" with "notions", emphasizing the speed and lack of development of the ideas.

incidental thoughts

Indicates thoughts that arise as a side effect or unplanned occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "passing thoughts" in a sentence?

You can use "passing thoughts" to describe fleeting ideas, like: "While walking, I had several "passing thoughts" about my upcoming vacation".

What's a good way to describe thoughts that aren't "passing thoughts"?

If you want to describe thoughts that are important or profound, you could say "deep reflections", "careful consideration", or "intense focus".

Are "passing thoughts" always unimportant?

Not necessarily. While often used to describe trivial ideas, "passing thoughts" can sometimes be the seed of a great idea. It depends on whether you choose to explore them further.

Is it ever appropriate to share all of my "passing thoughts"?

While sharing thoughts can be valuable, consider whether your "passing thoughts" are relevant or beneficial to others before sharing them, especially in professional or formal settings. Oversharing can be seen as distracting or unprofessional.