thought for a second

USAGE SUMMARY

"thought for a second" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a brief pause in someone's thought process. For example, "She paused to think for a second before deciding to go home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He thought for a second.

The New York Times - Sports

She thought for a second.

The New Yorker

Jeff thought for a second.

The New York Times

Mr. Robinson thought for a second.

The New York Times

Mr. Garfunkel thought for a second.

The New York Times

Sloane Zelnick thought for a second.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

I had to think for a second.

Independent

Pausing, she thinks for a second.

Independent

He thinks for a second.

The Guardian

She pauses and thinks for a second.

The New York Times - Magazine

Just think for a second, it'll come to you.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thought for a second" to clearly indicate a brief pause for consideration or reflection, adding nuance to the narrative or dialogue.

Common error

While "thought for a second" is useful, overuse can make writing repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "paused momentarily" or "considered briefly" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought for a second" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a brief pause for consideration. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis, which confirms its correct usage in describing a short moment of contemplation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thought for a second" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that indicates a brief pause for consideration. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across numerous contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider alternatives to maintain writing variety. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase serves to introduce a short moment of reflection, often preceding a statement or decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paused momentarily

Emphasizes the brief duration of the pause.

gave it a moment's thought

Suggests a quick consideration of the matter.

considered briefly

Highlights the act of considering with less emphasis on the time taken.

took a second to ponder

Implies a slightly more thoughtful consideration within a short time frame.

paused to reflect briefly

Combines the pause with a short period of reflection.

reflected for a moment

Suggests a slightly deeper level of thought during the short pause.

briefly contemplated

Focuses on the mental activity of contemplating something quickly.

hesitated briefly

Focuses on the hesitation aspect, implying uncertainty or contemplation.

considered for a brief time

Highlights the limited duration of the thinking process.

stopped to consider

Highlights the action of pausing to deliberate something.

FAQs

How can I use "thought for a second" in a sentence?

The phrase "thought for a second" is used to describe a brief pause for consideration. For example: "He "thought for a second" before answering the question".

What are some alternatives to "thought for a second"?

You can use alternatives like "paused briefly", "considered momentarily", or "reflected briefly" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "thinked for a second" instead of "thought for a second"?

No, "thinked" is not a correct past tense form of "think". The correct past tense is "thought", so the correct phrase is ""thought for a second"".

What's the difference between "thought for a second" and "thought for a moment"?

While both phrases indicate a brief pause, "thought for a moment" might imply a slightly longer or more significant pause than ""thought for a second"", but the difference is often negligible.