to have a thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to have a thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express possession or a particular interest in something. Example: "I seem to have a thing for vintage cars; I can't resist their charm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It sounded better to have a thing -- a thing in the room that would echo the thingness of the Domino site.

Huffington Post

But you have to have a thing.

The New Yorker

[laughs] It's nice to have a thing.

The New York Times

NBC's writers seem to have a thing about "down there".

The New York Times - Arts

Editors there seem to have a thing for the workout.

The New York Times

It's good to have a thing you can bond over.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sooze still seems to have a thing for Pony, but she also seems to have a thing for the boys who try to hold her back.

The New Yorker

Whoever owns it appears to have a thing for chrome accents.

The New York Times

President Obama seems to have a thing for Jenner & Block lawyers.

The New York Times

Does it matter that Mr. Kechiche appears to have a thing for rear ends?

The New York Times

6.44pm GMT "Turkey seem to have a thing for scoring fast," emails Joshua Poindexter.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language by using the alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "to have a thing" in highly formal writing. Choose more sophisticated vocabulary like "to possess an affinity for" or "to demonstrate a predilection toward" in academic or professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to have a thing" functions as an idiomatic expression. It's primarily used to indicate a liking, interest, or preoccupation with something or someone. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used and grammatically correct, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to have a thing" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to describe someone's interest, liking, or preoccupation with a particular subject, object, or person. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to informal register, making it less suitable for formal academic or scientific writing. When needed, you can consider more formal alternatives such as "to have an affinity for" or "to demonstrate an interest in" for enhanced sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be into

A more informal way of expressing interest or involvement.

to have an affinity for

Suggests a natural connection or attraction.

to be keen on

Highlights enthusiasm or strong interest, slightly more intense than "to have a thing".

to have a liking for

Emphasizes the enjoyment or pleasure derived from something.

to be fascinated by

Focuses on the captivating or intriguing nature of something.

to be fond of

Focuses on affection or liking, differing from a specific interest or preoccupation.

to have a preference for

Highlights a choice or inclination towards something.

to be partial to

Indicates a preference or bias, suggesting a leaning towards something specific.

to have a penchant for

Implies a strong inclination or habit, often slightly whimsical or unusual.

to be obsessed with

Indicates an overwhelming preoccupation, significantly stronger than a simple interest.

FAQs

How can I use "to have a thing" in a sentence?

You can use "to have a thing" to express an interest or preference, such as, "She seems "to have a thing" for vintage clothing" or "They seem "to have a thing" for scoring fast".

What's a more formal alternative to "to have a thing"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "to have an affinity for", "to possess a predilection for", or "to demonstrate an interest in".

Is it correct to say "to have a thing for" someone?

Yes, it's correct. Using "to have a thing for" someone implies attraction or infatuation. For example, "Sooze still seems "to have a thing" for Pony".

What does it mean when someone says, "Editors there seem "to have a thing" for the workout?"

It means the editors show a noticeable interest in or preference for the workout. In this case, they repeatedly mention P90X in their articles.