thought to ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thought to ask" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in sentences to express that someone had an idea or a question in their mind, but did not directly verbalize it. Example: I was so caught up in the conversation that I didn't think to ask about her new job. In this sentence, the speaker is expressing that they were so engrossed in the conversation with the person that they did not remember to ask about the other person's new job.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Health

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nobody thought to ask what this meant.

The New Yorker

No one thought to ask".

The New York Times

Few even thought to ask that question.

The New York Times - Health

And nobody thought to ask: "Why not?

The Guardian - Opinion

You might not have thought to ask these questions.

The New York Times - Books

I thought to ask them, but then held back.

The New York Times - Books

In reality, no one had thought to ask.

The Guardian

I finally thought to ask what Nyah-Nyah meant.

The New York Times - Books

"There are other questions we haven't thought to ask".

The New York Times

Ten years ago, no one would have thought to ask.

The New York Times - Books

As a kid, I never thought to ask them for documentation — what kid would?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thought to ask" when you want to convey that an idea or question came to mind but wasn't necessarily verbalized. It often implies a missed opportunity or a reflection on a potential inquiry.

Common error

Avoid using "thought to ask" when you're actually reporting a direct question. It's for conveying an unasked question that was considered, not for reporting questions that were actually posed. For example, don't say 'He thought to ask, "Where are you going?"' Instead, use 'He asked, "Where are you going?"'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought to ask" functions as an infinitive phrase, often following a verb of thinking or remembering (e.g., "never thought", "finally thought"). It indicates a contemplated action—the act of asking a question—that was considered but not necessarily carried out. Ludwig AI shows it's common in expressing missed opportunities or reflections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thought to ask" is a common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to express that someone considered asking a question but didn't necessarily do so. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent appearance in contexts like news and media, books, and personal narratives. It often conveys regret or a missed opportunity. When using this phrase, make sure it reflects a contemplated, unasked question rather than a directly reported one. Alternatives like "considered asking" or "meant to ask" can offer similar nuances depending on the specific intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurred to me to ask

Indicates that the idea of asking came to mind spontaneously.

considered asking

Focuses on the act of considering the question, rather than necessarily an intention.

remembered to ask

Highlights the act of remembering a question that needs to be asked.

meant to inquire

Emphasizes the intention to ask, suggesting a prior plan.

intended to ask

Similar to "meant to inquire", but can also suggest a more formal questioning.

had it in mind to ask

Highlights the mental planning before the possible question.

contemplated questioning

Stresses a careful consideration before possibly formulating a question.

wondered about asking

Focuses on a state of curiosity that precedes a potential question.

felt like asking

Highlights the feeling or impulse that might trigger a question.

had a notion to ask

Suggests a sudden or less defined urge to inquire.

FAQs

How can I use "thought to ask" in a sentence?

Use "thought to ask" when you want to express that someone considered posing a question but didn't actually ask it. For example, "I "never thought to ask" about her previous job" implies that the speaker now regrets not having asked that question.

What's a good alternative to "thought to ask"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "considered asking", "meant to ask", or "intended to ask" to convey similar meanings.

When is it appropriate to use "thought to ask"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that a question came to mind, but was not verbalized. This is often used when reflecting on a missed opportunity or expressing a regret about not seeking information. For example, "No one "thought to ask" about the budget implications."

Is "thought to ask" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the overall style and purpose of the writing rather than the specific context of the communication. In general it is widely accepted and used.