I was thinking did

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was thinking did" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought and lacks clarity, making it difficult to determine its intended meaning. Example: "I was thinking, did you remember to bring the documents?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I left I was thinking: 'Did she notice anything?

The Guardian

"In the game, I was thinking, 'Did I miss?'" Rivers said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was thinking, do they think I've harmed my child?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I was thinking; do you know what?

The Guardian

As I crossed the line I was thinking do I have it?

Independent

"I was thinking, do I really want to be in the same demonstration as him?

The Economist

"The whole time I was thinking, 'Do I help her?' " he recalled.

The New York Times

I was thinking: "Don't cry, because the boys are here".

The Guardian

(Just as I was thinking "Do all men in flamenco wear black?" on he came in this attire).

The New York Times - Arts

"I looked at Kay standing there and I was thinking, 'Does he even see it coming?' " Toner said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was thinking do what you can, just get over the line.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing a thought followed by a question, ensure grammatical completeness. Use phrases like "I was wondering if" or "I was thinking about whether" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid truncating your sentences when conveying a thought process that involves a question. Instead of saying "I was thinking did", complete the thought with a phrase like "I was thinking, 'Did I lock the door?'" or "I was wondering, 'Did I remember to bring the documents?'".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was thinking did" functions as an incomplete clause introducing a question or thought. Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically questionable, highlighting its need for completion to form a coherent sentence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "I was thinking did" appears in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, it is flagged by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect due to its incomplete nature. It's best used as an introduction to a complete question or statement, as in, "I was thinking, 'Did I lock the door?'" Alternatives such as "I was wondering if" or "I was considering whether" offer grammatically sound ways to express similar thoughts. Therefore, use this phrase with caution and always ensure completeness to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was wondering if

Replaces the direct question with a more polite and indirect form of inquiry.

I was considering whether

Indicates a more deliberate and thoughtful process of evaluation.

I had been pondering if

Suggests a deeper and more prolonged reflection on the matter.

I was in the process of wondering if

Highlights the ongoing nature of the thought process.

It crossed my mind whether

Emphasizes the fleeting and initial nature of the thought.

I asked myself if

Highlights the internal dialogue and self-questioning.

I started to wonder whether

Focuses on the beginning of a state of uncertainty and curiosity.

I entertained the idea of whether

Indicates the opening to a new thought or possibility.

I speculated whether

Implies an attempt to guess or form a theory about something.

I had a thought about if

Directly refers to the occurrence of a specific consideration.

FAQs

How can I properly phrase a sentence starting with "I was thinking"?

To correctly structure a sentence starting with "I was thinking", follow it with a complete question or statement. For example, "I was thinking, 'Did I turn off the lights?'" or "I was thinking about "going to the beach" tomorrow".

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "I was thinking did"?

Instead of saying "I was thinking did", you can use alternatives like "I was wondering if", "I was considering whether", or "I asked myself if".

Is "I was thinking did" grammatically sound?

No, "I was thinking did" is not grammatically correct. It's an incomplete thought that requires a completion like "I was thinking, 'Did I remember to bring the documents?'"

When is it appropriate to use "I was wondering" instead of "I was thinking did"?

Use "I was wondering" when you want to express a thought in a more polite or indirect way. For example, instead of "I was thinking did you finish the report?", say "I was wondering if you finished the report".