pleasant to think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pleasant to think" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a positive or agreeable thought or idea that brings comfort or joy. Example: "It is pleasant to think that we can make a difference in the world with our small actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Money

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

I find that very pleasant to think about".

The Guardian - Books

"While it's not pleasant to think about, some people still don't wash their hands after using the toilet," says Chandler.

The Guardian - Money

"It would be pleasant to think everybody would now close ranks and get on with the nation's business," he wrote.

The New Yorker

It would be pleasant to think that ideas and research agendas are independent of national-security concerns or war.

The New York Times - Magazine

Few people, it seems, are thought to be content with learning new words merely to have something pleasant to think about.

The New York Times

It's not especially pleasant to think about what the global economy will look like if China and the United States fail to fix their dysfunctional relationship.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

It may be reassuring, a pleasant lie, to think that better filmmakers appeal to our emotions, not merely prey on them, but the great directors need hearts of killers and stone-cold calculation to have their way with us successfully.

The New York Times

That's not a pleasant thing to think about, but that's the point.

Huffington Post

"Barren Island has a lot of pleasant memories, things to think about," Mr. Kishkill said.

The New York Times

It's hard to think pleasant thoughts but a new study suggests a quick way to make it easier.

University of California, Berkeley

I never like the descent on a rocky trail, and it was particularly pleasant not to have to think about where to place my feet.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pleasant to think" when you want to convey a sense of comfort or mild satisfaction derived from a particular thought. It's suitable for expressing simple pleasures or hopes.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "pleasant to think" can sound too informal or simplistic in academic or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "agreeable to contemplate" or "satisfying to consider" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pleasant to think" functions as an adjectival phrase followed by an infinitive. It describes the quality of an action or idea, indicating that it is agreeable or comforting to contemplate. As Ludwig AI confirms, the structure is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Books

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pleasant to think" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that expresses a sense of comfort or mild satisfaction derived from a particular thought. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. While it's suitable for expressing simple pleasures or hopes, it's important to note that it can come across as informal in academic or professional contexts, where more sophisticated alternatives might be preferred. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nice to consider

Replaces "pleasant" with "nice", offering a more informal tone while maintaining the core meaning of finding something agreeable.

enjoyable to reflect on

Substitutes "pleasant" with "enjoyable" and "think" with "reflect on", emphasizing the reflective aspect of finding something agreeable.

agreeable to contemplate

Replaces "pleasant" with "agreeable" and "think" with "contemplate", suggesting a more formal and deliberate consideration.

comforting to imagine

Shifts the focus to the emotional aspect, replacing "pleasant" with "comforting" and "think" with "imagine", highlighting the soothing nature of the thought.

satisfying to dwell on

Replaces "pleasant" with "satisfying" and "think" with "dwell on", indicating a sense of contentment derived from prolonged consideration.

gratifying to consider

Changes "pleasant" to "gratifying", emphasizing the rewarding nature of the thought process.

appealing to ponder

Replaces "pleasant" with "appealing" and "think" with "ponder", suggesting a more attractive and thoughtful reflection.

delightful to mull over

Substitutes "pleasant" with "delightful" and "think" with "mull over", conveying a sense of joy and careful consideration.

tempting to believe

Replaces "pleasant" with "tempting" and "think" with "believe", highlighting the allure of a particular idea or notion.

soothing to consider

Shifts the emphasis to the calming aspect, using "soothing" instead of "pleasant" to indicate a sense of peace.

FAQs

How can I use "pleasant to think" in a sentence?

You can use "pleasant to think" to express that something is agreeable or comforting to consider. For example, "It is "pleasant to think" that we can make a difference with small acts of kindness."

What are some alternatives to "pleasant to think"?

Some alternatives to "pleasant to think" include "nice to consider", "enjoyable to reflect on", or "comforting to imagine", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pleasant to think" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "pleasant to think" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "agreeable to contemplate" or "gratifying to consider".

What's the difference between "pleasant to think" and "nice to think"?

While both phrases convey a sense of agreeable contemplation, "nice to think" is slightly more informal and general, while ""pleasant to think"" implies a slightly stronger sense of enjoyment or satisfaction.