thought of a plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'thought of a plan' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone developing an idea, strategy, or approach to achieve a goal. For example, "Bob had to come up with a way to organize the conference, so he thought of a plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

For British cycling, the thought of a "plan B" to win the Tour de France is almost beyond belief.

BBC

Scared as I was, I thought of a plan.

The New Yorker

In 2000, when a caller to "Kentucky Tonight" asked guests what they thought of a plan to legalize all drugs, release all nonviolent drug offenders, and use the savings to fix Social Security, Paul responded, "I would agree".

The New Yorker

This system, however — poisoning our food and then policing the result — is too reminiscent of Lewis Carroll's White Knight, who thought of "a plan to dye one's whiskers green, and always use so large a fan that they could not be seen".

The New Yorker

Luckily, when booking a taxi, he thought of a plan.

Forbes

"I was in an existential rut because I hadn't thought of a plan B," he says.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It also considers Kofi Annan to have become the chief decision-maker, either in terms of moving forward with giving priority to international consensus, or in terms of thwarting any thoughts of a "Plan B".

Huffington Post

In the time leading up to the sting operation in Thailand, Mr. Smulian became "intoxicated" with the thought of a "retirement plan," Mr. Dayan said, arguing that it was Mr. Smulian who had masterminded the FARC deal, pushing a relationship with the group onto a reluctant Mr. Bout.

The New York Times

The Suicide Risk Assessment questions elicit information about suicidal thoughts, presence of a plan, wish to die, and reasons for living.

Clinical interventions in aging

I found people assumed these changes had been introduced to save money; more thought they were "part of a plan to privatise the NHS" than to cut bureaucracy or give more choice and control to patients.

The Guardian - Opinion

The thought of planning a traditional wedding overwhelmed me.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thought of a plan" when you want to convey the act of conceiving a strategy or idea, especially in response to a problem or challenge. It suggests an initial stage of planning.

Common error

Avoid using "thought of a plan" when you mean to describe the execution or implementation of a plan. The phrase focuses on the initial conception, not the action taken afterward. If you are referring to the actual doing of something then use a term like "implemented a strategy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought of a plan" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the initial stage of devising a strategy or solution. It highlights the act of conceiving an idea rather than its execution. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thought of a plan" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe the initial conception of a strategy or idea. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. While generally neutral in tone, more formal settings may benefit from alternative phrases such as "devised a strategy" or "formulated a proposal". Remember that this phrase refers to the act of conceiving a plan, not necessarily implementing it. Understanding these nuances will help you use the phrase effectively and avoid common writing errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devised a strategy

Replaces 'thought of a plan' with a more formal term indicating strategic thinking.

came up with an idea

A more general alternative, focusing on the generation of an idea.

formulated a proposal

Emphasizes the structured and formal nature of the plan.

concocted a scheme

Suggests a slightly more elaborate or potentially secretive plan.

developed a blueprint

Indicates a detailed and comprehensive plan.

brainstormed a solution

Highlights the collaborative or intensive thinking process involved.

originated a project

Focuses on the beginning or creation of a larger undertaking.

hit upon a concept

Implies a sudden or serendipitous discovery of the plan.

contemplated a design

Emphasizes careful consideration and planning in the creative process.

imagined a possibility

Highlights the initial stage of envisioning a plan.

FAQs

How can I use "thought of a plan" in a sentence?

You can use "thought of a plan" to describe the moment someone conceived a strategy, such as, "Facing the budget cuts, she "thought of a plan" to streamline operations."

What's the difference between "thought of a plan" and "came up with a plan"?

While similar, "came up with a plan" often implies a more active or deliberate effort to generate the plan, whereas "thought of a plan" can suggest a more spontaneous or intuitive idea.

What can I say instead of "thought of a plan"?

You can use alternatives like "devised a strategy", "formulated a proposal", or "concocted a scheme", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "thought of a plan" formal or informal?

"Thought of a plan" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "developed a strategy".