the very thought of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the very thought of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong emotional reaction or feeling associated with a particular idea or concept. Example: "The very thought of losing my job fills me with anxiety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The very thought of it.

Independent

The very thought of it unmanned him.

The New Yorker

The very thought of this lumpy slurry was repulsive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Norrington purrs at the very thought of it.

The Guardian - Music

The very thought of him makes Brutus furious.

The Guardian

Kenny Barron played "The Very Thought of You".

The New York Times

Most lawyers and legislators find the very thought of such a gathering chilling & subversive.

The New Yorker

The very thought of Aomame's situation will pain anyone stuck in the quicksand of "1Q84".

The New York Times - Books

Her take on "The Very Thought of You" was stately but distant.

The New York Times - Arts

The sensuous pleasure of handling money carries into the very thought of it.

The New Yorker

Some relatives might have cringed at the very thought of her.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very thought of" to emphasize a strong emotional or immediate reaction to a particular idea or situation. It's particularly effective when highlighting feelings of aversion, excitement, or anxiety.

Common error

Avoid using "the very thought of" in situations that require a neutral or objective tone. This phrase is highly expressive and can sound melodramatic if used inappropriately. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "considering" or "the idea of" in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very thought of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces the object of a verb or preposition. It serves to emphasize the emotional impact or strong feeling associated with the subsequent idea or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Huffington Post

8%

The New Yorker

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very thought of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to emphasize the emotional impact of an idea or concept. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media. It’s suitable for various contexts but most effective when conveying strong feelings. While broadly applicable, consider more neutral alternatives in strictly formal or objective writing. Ludwig's analysis highlights that mastering this phrase involves understanding its expressive power and applying it judiciously to enhance communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the mere idea of

Focuses on the concept itself, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly different emphasis.

just the idea of

A more casual way to express the same sentiment, suitable for informal contexts.

the idea alone of

Emphasizes that even just considering the idea is enough to evoke a reaction.

the anticipation of

Highlights the feeling of looking forward to something, replacing the initial thought with expectation.

the prospect of

Focuses on the possibility or likelihood of something happening.

the consideration of

Highlights the process of thinking about something, making it more formal.

merely considering

Similar to "the mere idea of", this emphasizes the act of consideration.

the sheer notion of

This adds emphasis with "sheer", conveying strong emotion about the concept.

the possibility of

This shifts focus to the potential for something to occur.

contemplating the idea of

Focuses on thoughtful consideration, rather than immediate reaction.

FAQs

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

You can use "the very thought of" to express a strong emotional reaction to something. For example, "The very thought of public speaking terrifies me" or "The very thought of winning excites me".

What phrases are similar to "the very thought of"?

Similar phrases include "the mere idea of", "just the idea of", or "the prospect of", each conveying a sense of considering something and the feelings associated with it.

Is "the very thought of" formal or informal?

"The very thought of" is generally considered appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, but it's more impactful in situations where you want to emphasize a strong emotional reaction. In very formal writing, consider alternatives like "the consideration of" if a neutral tone is needed.

Can "the very thought of" be used with negative connotations only?

No, "the very thought of" can be used with both positive and negative connotations. For example, "The very thought of a vacation is exciting" (positive) versus "The very thought of failing fills me with dread" (negative).