thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun or a verb. Example sentence: After much thought, he decided to take on the new job.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Here's a thought.

The New York Times

They'll never know what it means to have a private moment to themselves an unrecorded, unanalysed thought.

The Guardian

There's a thought.

The Economist

Now Khalid is back there cackling at the thought of all those Americans exposing the holes in their socks on cold airport floors.

The Economist

The thought of having to network for another month, to meet just another 20 people felt time intensive so I developed a referral system which encouraged people I knew, and trusted, to refer their single friends to me.

The Guardian

If she hopes to remain a player she would be wise to shelve any thought of publishing vengeful diaries, usually a divisive step even before the Mail has bought lucrative serialisation rights and sexed them up.

The Guardian

Beloved brother, Enough time has passed now for us to think only one thought: that we will never see you again.

The Guardian

My initial thought was: Golly, this is another world.

The Guardian

Now there's a thought!

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Other reactionary policies such as those against some parts of the renewable energy sector are not thought-out.

The Guardian

There's a generous range of offerings for the health conscious: delicious freshly squeezed juices – the 'Get Up and Go' with apple, orange, pineapple and ginger is great road trip fuel – Merlo organic coffee, vibrant salads – don't miss the Thai beef salad with crunchy noodes - and some well-thought out vegetarian options, with the roasted butternut pumpkin salad a good pick.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thought" as past tense of the word "think", ensure the tense is consistent throughout the text.

Common error

Avoid using "thought" interchangeably with words like "think", "imagine", or "consider" without considering the subtle differences in nuance. "Thought" implies a completed mental process, whereas "think" is the act of processing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "thought" is as a noun, representing a mental concept or idea. It also functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'think'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable term in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "thought" functions primarily as a noun and the past tense of the verb 'think'. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It’s most frequently found in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for formal and informal communication. As a noun, it represents ideas and opinions; as a verb form, it indicates past mental activity. Related terms include "idea", "opinion", and "consideration", each offering nuanced meanings. When using "thought", remember to consider the subtle differences in nuance with similar words and to maintain consistent tense in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

idea

Represents a mental concept or impression, similar to a thought but often more concrete.

opinion

Indicates a personal belief or judgment, which may be based on thoughts or feelings.

consideration

Implies careful and thorough thought about a matter.

notion

Refers to a general understanding or belief, sometimes less defined than a thought.

belief

Suggests a strong conviction or acceptance of something as true, often based on thought.

reflection

Highlights a careful and prolonged thought process.

contemplation

Indicates deep and serious thought, often of a philosophical nature.

perception

Emphasizes the way something is understood or interpreted through thought.

viewpoint

Denotes a particular way of considering things, shaped by individual thoughts and experiences.

supposition

Involves forming a belief or assumption based on limited thought or evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "thought" in a sentence?

You can use "thought" as a noun to refer to an idea or as the past tense of the verb "think". For example: "The thought of traveling excites me", or "I thought about it all day".

What are some synonyms for "thought"?

Some synonyms for "thought" include "idea", "opinion", "consideration", and "notion", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say 'I have a thought'?

Yes, it's perfectly correct to say "I have a thought". It means you have an idea or something you want to express.

What's the difference between "thought" and "thinking"?

"Thought" is a noun referring to a single idea or the product of mental activity, while "thinking" is a verb (or gerund) referring to the process of having thoughts. For instance, "That's an interesting thought" versus "I was thinking about it all day".