I am thinking for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I am thinking for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a complete thought; it may be intended to express that someone is considering something on behalf of another person. Example: "I am thinking for my friend about what gift to buy her for her birthday."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I am thinking, for example, of a group of costumes on the third level, with beaded floral and arabesque motifs on see-through netting.

The New York Times - Arts

I am thinking, for example, of Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times," which Luc and I have now watched several times, finding it funnier on each occasion.

The New York Times

I am thinking, for instance, of Representative Randy Neugebauer, who harangued an innocent park ranger about a shutdown-shuttered war memorial, insisting that the ranger and her colleagues should be "ashamed of themselves".

The New York Times

I am thinking, for example, of this NIPS 2016 paper by Matthew Johnson et al., which was motivated by a dataset of mouse behavior, or this ICML 2017 paper by Justin Gilmer et al. with applications to quantum chemistry.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I am thinking, for example, of the protection of the family based in marriage, respect for life in every phase of its natural course or the promotion of greater social justice," the pope said during his meeting with Muslim community leaders.

The New York Times

It is a resolution that the most surprising people, in the most surprising of contexts, continue to find themselves unable to show - I am thinking, for example, of the recently reported remarks of Labour MP Tam Dalyell, who said Tony Blair had been "unduly influenced by a cabal of Jewish advisers".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"Now," Johnson said, "I'm thinking for two".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm thinking for a start of the last few stories that you've published here.

The New Yorker

"You know," he said, "I was thinking for a while of leaving the city".

The New Yorker

But I was thinking for a long time about what Colin would have done," says Garner.

The Guardian - Books

I was thinking for a long time I wouldn't walk again.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "I am thinking for" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives like "I am considering" or "I am planning" to ensure clarity and credibility.

Common error

A common mistake is using "I am thinking for" when intending to express 'I am thinking about' or 'I am considering'. Ensure you use the correct preposition to accurately convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am thinking for" is not a standard grammatical construction in English. The examples provided by Ludwig show varied usage, but Ludwig AI marks the phrase as incorrect, suggesting it does not conform to established grammatical rules. It seems to attempt to express contemplation or intention, but fails to do so clearly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I am thinking for" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies this as a non-standard construction. While examples exist across various sources, including news and academic contexts, these instances do not validate its correctness. For clear and effective communication, it is advisable to use more established alternatives such as "I am considering", "I am planning", or "I am thinking about". Using the right alternative will ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am considering

This is a direct replacement, removing the 'for' and creating a grammatically correct sentence indicating contemplation.

I am planning

Focuses on the intention to take action, shifting from mere thought to preparation.

I am pondering

Implies a deeper, more thoughtful consideration.

I am reflecting on

Suggests a more retrospective and analytical thought process.

I am contemplating

Similar to 'pondering', but can also imply considering different options.

I am envisioning

Emphasizes creating a mental image of a future scenario.

I am working on

Suggests active effort towards a goal, differing from passive thought.

I am preparing

Similar to 'planning', highlighting the steps taken before an event.

I intend to

Focuses on the speaker's purpose or aim.

I foresee

This suggests anticipating or predicting a future event based on current thoughts.

FAQs

Is "I am thinking for" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "I am thinking for" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "I am thinking about" or "I am considering".

What can I say instead of "I am thinking for"?

You can use alternatives like "I am considering", "I am planning", or "I am reflecting on" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I am thinking for" or "I am thinking about"?

"I am thinking about" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "I am thinking for" is not standard English.

How can I use "I am considering" in a sentence?

You can use "I am considering" in a sentence like, "I am considering a new job offer" or "I am considering going back to school".