Meaning & use
a frame of mind
Last updated
Meanings
phrasecountable
the way you are feeling and thinking at a particular time, which affects your behavior
Grammar: Countable phrase: a frame of mind, frames of mind. Usually used after 'in': in a positive frame of mind.
Patterns
- in a ... frame of mind
- be in the right frame of mind
- put someone in a ... frame of mind
She was in a calm frame of mind when she made the decision.
I'm not in the right frame of mind to study tonight.
A good night's sleep put him in a much better frame of mind.
phrasecountable
a temporary mood or attitude that makes a particular action seem possible or appealing
Grammar: Often used with 'in' or 'into': get into a frame of mind. It can be positive or negative.
Patterns
- get into a ... frame of mind
- be in no frame of mind to do something
- a frame of mind to do something
He was in no frame of mind to argue with anyone.
Athletes try to get into a competitive frame of mind before a race.
After the bad news, she was in a gloomy frame of mind all day.
Word forms
| plural | frames of mind |
|---|
Common combinations
- in a positive frame of mind
- Try to start the day in a positive frame of mind.
- in the right frame of mind
- You need to be in the right frame of mind to take an exam.
- put someone in a ... frame of mind
- The music put everyone in a festive frame of mind.
- in no frame of mind to do something
- I was in no frame of mind to make a speech.
Synonyms and how they differ
- mood
- Mood is more general and can describe a feeling without any thinking; a frame of mind often includes your thoughts and attitude as well.
- state of mind
- State of mind is very close, but it is often used for a longer-lasting or more serious condition, while a frame of mind is usually temporary.
- attitude
- Attitude is a settled way of thinking that lasts; a frame of mind can change from hour to hour.
Commonly confused: a frame of mind or a state of mind?
a frame of mind vs a state of mind
A state of mind is similar but often suggests a deeper, more lasting condition (such as a happy state of mind). A frame of mind is usually a passing mood.
Practice
He wasn't ___ the right frame of mind to drive after the argument.
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'in a ... frame of mind'. 'On', 'at', and 'with' do not combine with 'frame of mind' in this way.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a frame of mind”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.