said without thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "said without thinking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was spoken impulsively or without careful consideration. Example: "In a moment of frustration, he blurted out a comment that he later regretted, something he had said without thinking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Was he'd said without thinking.

The New Yorker

"We call it 'Mob Stars,' " Fausti said, without thinking.

The New York Times

"I want to have fun," she said, "without thinking about math".

The New York Times - Sports

"I was just beginning to embrace the idea of motherhood," she said, "without thinking about the other cards life dealt me.

The New York Times

"I knew Frank had enough on his plate taking over from me as manager," he said, "without thinking I was still physically around the City Ground and in touch with the team, individually or collectively".

The Guardian - Sport

"I knew Frank had enough on his plate taking over from me as manager," he said, "without thinking I was still physically around the City Ground and in touch with the team, individually or collectively". "Much fuss has been made of Manchester City scoring 100 goals in just 34 matches this season," says Davy Allan, eschewing the usual Q&A format.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The sunlight catches his face and I say, without thinking, that the boy is beautiful.

Independent

"You need to watch the sodium, Mom," I started to say, without thinking.

The Washington Post

"Yes, I could kill someone," she says, without thinking too hard about it.

The Guardian

Still, I can say without thinking twice that some of the most extraordinary food I ate this year came from the kitchen of Dirty French.

The New York Times - Food

Worse, how can we move our hand or know what to say without thinking it?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "said without thinking" to emphasize a lack of conscious deliberation behind a statement, highlighting potential consequences or unintended meanings.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "said without thinking" as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "spoke impulsively" or "blurted out" for a more nuanced description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "said without thinking" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb. It indicates the manner in which the action of speaking occurred, highlighting the lack of premeditation or forethought. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "said without thinking" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe impulsive or unintentional statements. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides several examples from reputable sources, primarily in the news and media. When writing, be mindful of overusing the phrase and consider synonyms to enhance the nuance and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spoke impulsively

Focuses on the impulsive nature of the speech act.

blurted out

Emphasizes a sudden and uncontrolled utterance.

let slip

Suggests unintentionally revealing something.

remarked carelessly

Highlights the lack of care or consideration in the statement.

uttered thoughtlessly

Emphasizes the absence of thinking before speaking.

expressed unreflectively

Highlights that the thought was not well-considered before being spoken.

vocalized rashly

Implies speaking hastily and without proper consideration.

divulged inadvertently

Suggests an accidental revelation of information.

commented offhandedly

Focuses on the casual and potentially dismissive nature of the remark.

mentioned absentmindedly

Highlights a lack of focus or attention when speaking.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something "without thinking"?

Saying something "without thinking" implies that the speaker did not carefully consider the implications, potential consequences, or impact of their words before speaking. It suggests impulsivity or a lack of forethought.

Is "said without thinking" grammatically correct?

Yes, "said without thinking" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe something spoken impulsively or without careful consideration. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

What are some alternative ways to express "said without thinking"?

You can use alternatives like "spoke impulsively", "blurted out", or "let slip" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I avoid "saying things without thinking"?

To avoid "saying things without thinking", practice pausing before speaking, consider the potential impact of your words, and try to be mindful of your emotions and the context of the conversation.