spark of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'spark of thought' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to an idea or opinion that has been sparked by a particular moment or event. For example: I had a spark of thought while talking to my friends about the importance of self-care.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

63. "The lightning spark of thought generated in the solitary mind awakens its likeness in another mind".

Huffington Post

In the Pali scriptures, for example, Buddha links the positive aspect of conscience to a pure heart and a calm, well-directed mind: "when the mind is face to face with the Truth, a self-luminous spark of thought is revealed at the inner core of ourselves and, by analogy, all reality".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Worrying over police abuse, he generates sparks of thought that seek not answers but a path toward sharper questions.

The New Yorker

Claire's daylong road trip of a journey toward self-knowledge may be more antic than Thelma and Louise's, but it sets off sharp, far-reaching sparks of thought about women whose lives are determined by men.

The New York Times

"It's a very twisted stance that suppresses any spark of free thought and anything that has something enlightened.

Independent

Maybe that spark of a thought or feeling will grow into something greater.

Huffington Post

During "inging," she always made eye contact with us, and even though we weren't speaking back, she read certain things in us — our receptiveness, our mood — and those things sparked trains of thought and contributed to the original score we were hearing.

The New Yorker

He started out studying psychology at McGill University and completed his PhD at Harvard, going on to become a star academic at MIT, where he quickly gained a media-friendly reputation with his prog-rocker haircut and spark-ling clarity of thought.

The Guardian

Lew happened to throw out a sandwich bag, which sparked a train of thought about the hurried lunch, stressful breaks taken by busy students and workers.

Vice

A friend sent me this video today that sparked some interesting lines of thought.

TechCrunch

This video sparked some interesting avenues of thought within me, and I wanted to share it with you.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spark of thought" to describe the very beginning of an idea or plan, especially when emphasizing its sudden or unexpected nature.

Common error

Avoid using "spark of thought" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact; consider using synonyms like "sudden inspiration" or "fleeting idea" to maintain variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spark of thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It represents the genesis of an idea or notion, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

12.5%

Less common in

Science

12.5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spark of thought" is a noun phrase used to describe the initial moment when an idea or insight begins to form. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, from news to academic writing. While it's not exceedingly common, its use is clear and effective for conveying the genesis of an idea. Alternatives like "sudden inspiration" or "fleeting idea" can add variety to your writing. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain its impact and avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sudden inspiration

Highlights the spontaneous and creative aspect.

germ of an idea

Emphasizes the potential for growth from a small beginning.

flash of insight

Highlights the clarity and depth of the understanding.

fleeting idea

Focuses on the transient nature of the thought.

initial idea

Highlights that the idea is just starting.

brainwave

A more informal term for a sudden, bright idea.

quick notion

Emphasizes the speed and simplicity of the thought.

passing thought

Stresses the brief duration of the mental occurrence.

flicker of understanding

Focuses on gaining comprehension rather than just having an idea.

impulse of creativity

Links the thought directly to creative expression.

FAQs

How can I use "spark of thought" in a sentence?

You can use "spark of thought" to describe the sudden emergence of an idea. For example, "The lecture provided the initial "spark of thought" that led to her groundbreaking research."

What are some alternatives to "spark of thought"?

Alternatives include "sudden inspiration", "fleeting idea", or "quick notion". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "spark of thought" formal or informal?

The phrase "spark of thought" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it may be slightly more common in creative or reflective writing.

What's the difference between "spark of thought" and "train of thought"?

"Spark of thought" refers to the beginning of an idea, whereas "train of thought" refers to a connected series of ideas stemming from an initial "spark of thought" or stimulus.