I was thinking even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was thinking even" is not correct and sounds incomplete in written English.
It may be used when you want to express a thought that includes an additional or surprising element, but it typically requires more context to be clear. Example: "I was thinking even more about the implications of our decision."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Here I was thinking even clothes would have been better".

The New York Times

I was thinking, even as I read it: 'This scene could not have been done 10 years ago.'" McGuinness, a Catholic, says he read the book straight through.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And I was thinking, even then, a couple of years ago, why would I spend a million dollars to live on the corner of Quincy and Franklin Streets, which is basically in the middle of nowhere?

The New York Times

When he sees his Congolese postman, moved to a new route, for the first time after Kavanagh's death and must explain that she is gone, he observes, "I was thinking, even as I was speaking: now I'm having to do it all again in French".

The New York Times - Books

Initially after losing my job, courage or facing what's happening head on (adversity, pain, misfortune and fear) -- involved telling my spouse what I was thinking, even when his face became all wrinkled up.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I'm thinking even if I eat 12 doughnuts, my hips are never going to bloom out like that.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'm thinking, Even if they want me to do it again, if all my money isn't there I won't do it again".

The New Yorker

"I've got a fast mouth but I ain't particularly articulate and I'm thinking even as I'm doing it, 'What are you talking about, boy, stop it.

Independent

But, you're thinking, even if I train my brain — I can't do everything alone.

TechCrunch

It wasn't sex I was thinking about, or even foreplay, but simple attention.

The New York Times

"I was so tired," he said jokingly Friday through his translator, "that I was thinking of not even going".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, ensure that the phrase "I was thinking even" is followed by a complete thought or idea to give it context. Without additional information, it may sound incomplete.

Common error

Avoid using "I was thinking even" without finishing the sentence or providing context. This can leave the reader wondering what you were actually thinking. Always complete the idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was thinking even" functions as an incomplete introductory clause. It sets up a thought but requires further context to convey a complete idea. Ludwig suggests that the phrase is not correct and sounds incomplete without additional information.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was thinking even" is grammatically questionable and generally requires additional context to convey a complete thought. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is not correct and sounds incomplete in written English. While it appears primarily in news and media sources, its infrequent usage and the need for further elaboration suggest that alternative phrases might offer greater clarity and precision. Completing the thought is crucial for effective communication when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm even considering

Emphasizes the element of surprise or addition in the thought, using the verb "considering".

I considered

Omits the adverb "even" and replaces the continuous "was thinking" with the simple past "considered" for a more concise expression.

I had even thought

Reorders the sentence structure and uses the past perfect tense to emphasize the completion of the thought.

I'm also thinking

Shifts the focus to an additional thought being considered, using "also" to indicate inclusion.

I contemplated

Replaces the continuous action with "contemplated" to suggest a more deliberate thought process.

I began to think even

Highlights the starting point of a thought process with an added element, using "began to think".

I reflected even

Substitutes "thinking" with "reflected" to indicate a deeper, more contemplative thought.

I imagined even

Replaces the verb with "imagined" to suggest a creative or hypothetical thought.

I was reflecting on

Replaces the verb with "reflecting" to suggest a deeper, more contemplative thought and adds the preposition.

It occurred to me

Replaces the whole phrase with a standard idiom to express a thought coming to mind.

FAQs

How can I properly use "I was thinking even" in a sentence?

To use "I was thinking even" correctly, ensure you complete the thought. For example, "I was thinking even if I eat 12 doughnuts, my hips are never going to bloom out like that" provides a full idea.

What are some alternative ways to express "I was thinking even"?

You could use alternatives like "I was considering", "I had even thought", or "I'm even considering" depending on the context.

Is "I was thinking even" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "I was thinking even" is often perceived as grammatically incomplete. It typically needs additional context to be fully correct and clear. Consider using a more complete phrase for better clarity.

What's the difference between "I was thinking even" and "I'm even thinking"?

"I was thinking even" suggests a past thought process, while "I'm even thinking" suggests a current or ongoing thought. The latter is often more direct and can imply a surprising consideration.