I was thinking of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was thinking of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a thought or consideration about something or someone in the past. Example: "I was thinking of going to the new restaurant downtown this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I was thinking of you".

The New Yorker

I was thinking of it.

The New York Times

I was thinking of all this recently.

The New York Times

But I was thinking of the attack.

The New York Times

"I was thinking of moving uptown".

The New Yorker

I was thinking of something else".

The New York Times - Sports

"I was thinking of my grandfather.

The New York Times

Sally said, "I was thinking of Jesus.

The New Yorker

"I was thinking of taking it myself".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was a look I was thinking of resurrecting, actually.

The Guardian

"No, wait--I was thinking of another planet," Bob said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by placing "I was thinking of" at the beginning, middle, or end of the sentence for emphasis and flow.

Common error

Avoid overuse by occasionally opting for synonyms like "I considered" or "I had in mind" to maintain a dynamic tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was thinking of" primarily functions as a declarative statement to introduce a thought, idea, or consideration. It often precedes a suggestion, plan, or intention, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, indicating the speaker's past or ongoing contemplation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was thinking of" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for introducing thoughts, suggestions, or considerations. It is grammatically correct and appropriate for diverse contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples demonstrating its function and purpose. While highly useful, varying your language with synonyms like "I considered" can prevent overuse and enhance communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was considering

A direct synonym, emphasizing the ongoing process of thinking.

I considered

Emphasizes the act of weighing options or possibilities.

I contemplated

Focuses on the act of considering something deeply.

I had in mind

Highlights the presence of an idea or plan.

I was toying with the idea of

Implies a light, not-yet-serious consideration.

I entertained the idea of

Suggests a more casual or exploratory consideration.

I gave thought to

Formal way of saying "I thought about".

I imagined

Emphasizes the act of forming a mental picture.

It crossed my mind

Suggests a fleeting thought or idea.

I envisioned

Focuses on creating a mental image or concept.

FAQs

How can I use "I was thinking of" in a sentence?

You can use "I was thinking of" to introduce a plan, suggestion, or consideration. For example, "I was thinking of going to the beach this weekend" or "I was thinking of applying for that job".

What can I say instead of "I was thinking of"?

You can use alternatives like "I considered", "I had in mind", or "I was considering depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am thinking of" instead of "I was thinking of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they indicate different time frames. "I am thinking of" refers to something you are currently considering, while "I was thinking of" refers to something you considered in the past.

What's the difference between "I was thinking of" and "I thought about"?

"I was thinking of" often suggests a more tentative or exploratory consideration, while "I thought about" can imply a more deliberate or completed reflection.