startling thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "startling thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a surprising or unexpected idea that provokes a strong reaction or contemplation. Example: "As I pondered the implications of artificial intelligence, a startling thought crossed my mind: what if machines could surpass human intelligence?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A fairly startling thought.

The New Yorker

That was a startling thought.

The New Yorker

It is a rather startling thought.

The Guardian

Instead, a startling thought struck him.

The Guardian

It's a startling thought that Britain's regional rep movement owes its existence to groceries.

The Guardian

That is a startling thought for opponents of the Colts, who host the Giants on Sunday night.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

At a fundraiser in Elbert County last weekend, Colorado Republican Congressman Mike Coffman shared some startling thoughts about President Barack Obama, raising the issue of the president's United States citizenship.

Huffington Post

5. Let go According to Bruce Davis, Ph.D., you have a startling 50,000-70,000 thoughts per day or between 35 and 48 thoughts per minute.

Huffington Post

This was a startling idea.

The New York Times

But equally startling is the thought of Spacey browsing YouTube comments to discover that he's still unknown to a fair few gamers.

The Guardian - Tech

Like many startling and random thoughts, this one occurred to me during a run, courtesy of Kris Kristofferson and Janis Joplin.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "startling thought" to introduce an idea that significantly deviates from the expected or conventional, creating emphasis and inviting contemplation.

Common error

Avoid using "startling thought" in situations where a simple 'interesting idea' would suffice. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "startling thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'startling' modifies the noun 'thought'. It is used to emphasize the unexpected or surprising nature of an idea. As Ludwig AI shows, it commonly appears in news and media contexts to introduce noteworthy concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "startling thought" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to denote an unexpected or surprising idea. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, as highlighted by Ludwig AI, it serves to introduce ideas that deviate significantly from the norm and warrant further consideration. While interchangeable with alternatives like "surprising idea" or "unexpected notion", it is best reserved for situations where the element of surprise is crucial. While the phrase is technically correct, take care to avoid overuse in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surprising idea

Replaces 'thought' with the more general 'idea', emphasizing the unexpected nature.

unexpected notion

Substitutes 'startling' with 'unexpected' and 'thought' with 'notion', highlighting the lack of anticipation.

astonishing concept

Uses 'astonishing' to convey a stronger sense of surprise and replaces 'thought' with 'concept'.

remarkable idea

Focuses on the noteworthy quality of the idea, rather than the surprise element.

striking realization

Shifts from 'thought' to 'realization', implying a sudden awareness of something significant.

sudden epiphany

Replaces the entire phrase with 'sudden epiphany', indicating a moment of profound insight.

jarring notion

Emphasizes the disruptive nature of the thought.

unforeseen conclusion

Highlights that the thought is a conclusion that was not anticipated.

eye-opening insight

Suggests the thought provides a new perspective or understanding.

revelatory idea

Indicates the thought reveals something previously unknown or hidden.

FAQs

How can I use "startling thought" in a sentence?

You can use "startling thought" to introduce a surprising or unexpected idea. For example, "A "startling thought" occurred to me during the meeting: what if we've been approaching this problem entirely wrong?"

What's a good alternative to "startling thought"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "surprising idea", "unexpected notion", or "astonishing concept" as alternatives to "startling thought".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "startling thought"?

Use "startling thought" when you want to emphasize the unexpected or surprising nature of an idea. It's suitable when the thought significantly deviates from what's considered normal or expected.

Is "startling thought" formal or informal?

"Startling thought" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it leans towards a more thoughtful or reflective tone. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use this phrase.