slight contemplation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight contemplation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a brief or minor period of thinking or reflection on a subject. Example: "After a slight contemplation, she decided to change her approach to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Numbers like that deserve a little contemplation.

Forbes

The slightest hint of contemplation worried them.

The New Yorker

You end up contemplating your own contemplation.

The Guardian

Like Lyndon Johnson's after him, much of Nixon's pathos sprang from his painful contemplation of his boss's public slights.

The New York Times - Books

Moreover, the condoling expression, the slight look of dispensing charitable compassion, peculiar to his contemplation of some adults was absent from his eyes when he looked at a child).

The New Yorker

My contemplation?

The New York Times - Food

Contemplation Environments.

The New York Times

Enough contemplation.

The Guardian - Travel

That idea needed some contemplation.

The New York Times

Like elements of a living architecture, the 30 figures, through the slightest of gestures and turnings of the head, are intimately related, their positions repeated to give a feeling of intense lyrical contemplation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The trap, or at least slight discomfort here, is that in achieving such power he also achieves art and art emphasises the universal over the specific; news, and the urgent particularities of news, becoming an opportunity for distanced, passive contemplation.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase when you want to downplay the intensity or duration of the reflection process.

Common error

Avoid using "slight contemplation" when the context implies a deep or prolonged period of thought. Opt for phrases like "deep reflection" or "extensive contemplation" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight contemplation" functions as a noun phrase, where 'slight' modifies the noun 'contemplation'. It describes a brief or minor period of thinking or reflection.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight contemplation" is a grammatically correct noun phrase indicating a brief period of thought or reflection. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Although it's not a very common phrase, its use is appropriate in neutral contexts, as evidenced by its appearance in news, encyclopedias, and scientific sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the idea of a short and not particularly intense period of thinking. Alternatives like "brief reflection" or "quick consideration" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief reflection

Focuses on the brevity of the reflection rather than its intensity.

quick consideration

Emphasizes the speed of the thought process.

fleeting thought

Highlights the transient nature of the thought.

momentary reflection

Stresses the short duration of the reflection.

passing thought

Indicates a thought that is not dwelled upon.

cursory consideration

Implies a superficial level of thought.

superficial reflection

Suggests a lack of depth in the thought process.

brief meditation

Replaces 'contemplation' with a more spiritual term.

casual reflection

Indicates a relaxed and informal level of thought.

minor consideration

Highlights the relative unimportance of the consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "slight contemplation" in a sentence?

You might say, "After a "slight contemplation", she decided to accept the offer" or "He paused for a "slight contemplation" before answering the difficult question".

What are some alternatives to "slight contemplation"?

Alternatives include "brief reflection", "quick consideration", or "fleeting thought", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "slight contemplation" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it might be more common in written rather than spoken language.

What does "slight contemplation" imply about the thinking process?

It suggests that the thinking process is brief, not very deep, and perhaps not of critical importance to the decision or action taken.