the mere thought of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the mere thought of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong emotional reaction or feeling that arises from just thinking about something, often something unpleasant or distressing. Example: "The mere thought of losing my job fills me with anxiety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The mere thought of it is profane.

The New York Times

The mere thought of that is unbelievable.

The New York Times - Sports

And the mere thought of being disappointed by it?

The New York Times - Travel

The mere thought of pleasant alternatives made people concentrate less.

The New Yorker

The mere thought of it gives me a headache".

The New York Times - Style

The mere thought of the publisher and his friends makes her sick.

The New Yorker

The mere thought of home movies is enough to send most people screaming into the street.

The New York Times - Arts

… The mere thought of living alone once sparked anxiety, dread and visions of loneliness.

The New York Times

Did their bowels loosen like mine at the mere thought of the coming invasion?

The New Yorker

"The mere thought of walking to the subway is enough to induce a minitantrum," she said.

The New York Times

"Neuroscientific research has shown that the mere thought of being rejected from a group is painful".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the mere thought of" to vividly convey how just considering something can evoke strong emotions or reactions. It is especially effective when describing negative or aversive feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "the mere thought of" in situations that don't require emphasis or emotional impact. Opt for simpler phrases like "thinking about" when the context is neutral or informational.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the mere thought of" functions as a prepositional phrase. It typically introduces a noun or gerund phrase that specifies what is being thought about, acting as an adverbial modifier to express the cause of a feeling or reaction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a multitude of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Lifestyle

17%

Opinion

12%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Books

4%

Science & Research

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the mere thought of" is a versatile prepositional phrase that effectively conveys the impact of considering something. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and very commonly used, particularly in news, lifestyle, and opinion contexts. It's important to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations where you want to emphasize the emotional or psychological effect of anticipation. While alternatives like "just the idea of" or "simply contemplating" exist, "the mere thought of" provides a specific nuance of immediate, almost visceral reaction. It is generally considered to have a neutral register making it suitable for various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the very idea of

Strengthens the expression by using "very" to emphasize the concept.

just the idea of

Replaces "thought" with "idea", simplifying the expression while retaining the core meaning.

just the notion of

Substitutes "thought" with "notion", providing a slightly different nuance.

merely imagining

Emphasizes the act of imagining as the trigger for a feeling or reaction.

simply contemplating

Focuses on the act of considering something, emphasizing the simplicity of the action.

only considering

Highlights that even just the act of consideration is enough to trigger a reaction.

the anticipation of

Shifts the focus to the expected outcome or experience.

the prospect of

Highlights the possibility or likelihood of something happening.

the concept of

Focuses on the abstract concept rather than the act of thinking.

thinking about

A more direct and less emphatic way of expressing consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "the mere thought of" in a sentence?

You can use "the mere thought of" to express a strong emotional reaction to something, for example: "The mere thought of public speaking fills me with anxiety."

What are some alternatives to "the mere thought of"?

Some alternatives include "just the idea of", "simply contemplating", or "merely imagining", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "the mere thought of" formal or informal?

"The mere thought of" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in various contexts, including news articles, opinion pieces, and casual conversations.

When is it appropriate to use "the mere thought of"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that even just considering something can trigger a noticeable reaction or feeling. Avoid using it in contexts where a more neutral or straightforward expression would suffice.