picture this

USAGE SUMMARY

"picture this" is an idiomatic expression that is commonly used in written English.
It is used to suggest that the other person should try to conjure a mental image of something implied by the speaker. For example: "Picture this: a beautiful beach, sunshine, and turquoise ocean waves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

-Brandie Posey, Picture This! & Lady to Lady.

Huffington Post

Picture this.

Independent

"Picture this," he said.

The New York Times

Or picture this.

The Guardian

Picture this: it's the 90s.

The Guardian - Music

I tried to picture this.

The New York Times - Style

Picture This By Joseph Heller.

The New York Times - Books

So picture this: Thanksgiving , 1972

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The picture this year is much brighter.

The New York Times

Did you see what won Best Picture this year?

The Guardian - Film

Arguably no picture this year falls in that category.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "picture this" to quickly engage your audience's imagination and make your descriptions more vivid. It's particularly effective when introducing a scenario or hypothetical situation.

Common error

While effective, avoid overusing "picture this" in formal academic or business writing. Opt for more direct and concise language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "picture this" serves as an imperative, prompting the audience to form a mental image. It is commonly used to introduce a scenario or hypothetical situation. As Ludwig AI explains, it encourages the other person to conjure a mental image of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "picture this" is a commonly used idiomatic expression that encourages the listener or reader to imagine a specific scenario. Ludwig AI confirms its purpose is to prompt a mental image. It is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media, albeit in an informal register. Related phrases such as "imagine this" and "visualize this" can serve as alternatives, depending on the desired nuance. When employing this phrase, strive for vivid imagery while remaining mindful of the context to maintain an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imagine this

Focuses more directly on the act of imagining, omitting the visual connotation.

visualize this

Emphasizes the creation of a mental image, suitable when the visual aspect is key.

envision this

Implies a more detailed and planned mental image, often used in a forward-thinking context.

think of this

A more general prompt to consider something, not necessarily visual.

consider this scenario

Frames the prompt within a specific set of circumstances.

let's say

Introduces a hypothetical situation, often simplified for illustrative purposes.

for example

Introduces a specific instance to clarify a point, less focused on imaginative visualization.

suppose that

Introduces a condition to be assumed or accepted without proof.

to illustrate

Signifies an intention to clarify through example, less directly engaging the imagination.

what if

Presents a hypothetical situation, often exploring potential consequences or outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "picture this" in a sentence?

"Picture this" is typically used to introduce a scenario or hypothetical situation, inviting the listener or reader to imagine it. For example, "Picture this: a cozy cabin in the woods, snow falling gently outside."

What are some alternatives to "picture this"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "imagine this", "visualize this", or "think of this".

Is "picture this" formal or informal?

"Picture this" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversation or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider more direct phrasing.

When is it appropriate to use "picture this"?

It's appropriate when you want to quickly engage your audience's imagination or introduce a hypothetical scenario in an accessible way. It is effective in presentations, storytelling, and casual communication.