I was thinking of going

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "I was thinking of going" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you had been considering an idea. For example, "I was thinking of going to visit my grandparents this weekend, but then I found out they already had plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

I was thinking of going to Texas Tech to become a petroleum engineer.

The New York Times

I tested it by sending an email saying I was thinking of going to Italy.

The Guardian - Tech

After a pause, he added, "I was thinking of going back to Falluja".

The New York Times - Books

I told her, 'Oh, no, when I was a boy I was thinking of going into the Church.

The New Yorker

BOB McKENTY Overheard on a recent Sunday at the Clifton Commons mall, one young man to another: "I was thinking of going running, but I don't run".

The New York Times

"I was thinking of going into publishing," Ms. Goldberg-Meehan remembered, "and Scott was waiting to hear about a job from 'Saturday Night Live.' He's still waiting".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"It wasn't presented as a case of 'I'm thinking of going - what do you think?' She had made her mind up, and Tessa had to agree that Coe was the ideal choice to replace her". London's mayor Ken Livingstone was informed the following day, as was the British Olympic Association chairman Craig Reedie.

The Guardian - Sport

Wherever you go there's someone using a phrase like, "I must frame that", or "I'm jealous of my friend Liz because she's got lots of really great frames", or "What do you think of my frame that's painted gold?", or "I'm thinking of going to Liz's house and smashing her frames, see what she thinks of that".

Independent

Says Jayasekera: "You can send a friend a clip via Facebook and say 'I'm thinking of going to see this, what do you think?'" Sadler's is ahead of the curve in measuring this new marketing tool.

The Guardian

I'm thinking of going home.

The Washington Post

I'm thinking of going there myself".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was thinking of going" to introduce an idea you are considering, especially when you want to gauge someone's reaction or express a tentative plan. For instance, "I was thinking of going to the beach this weekend, what do you think?"

Common error

Don't use "I was thinking of going" if you've already booked tickets or made concrete arrangements. Instead, state your intentions directly: "I'm going to the concert next week."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was thinking of going" functions as a statement of intent or consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly and effectively conveys that the speaker is contemplating an action but hasn't necessarily committed to it.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was thinking of going" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express tentative plans or considerations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as general conversational contexts. When using this phrase, it's best to convey a potential plan without firm commitment, and to avoid using it when concrete arrangements have already been made. Related phrases such as "I considered going" or "I might go" can offer nuanced alternatives for expressing similar intentions. Ultimately, understanding the context helps ensure the phrase is used effectively and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I considered going

More concise and slightly more formal.

I had been considering going

Emphasizes the duration of the consideration.

I'm contemplating going

Uses a more sophisticated vocabulary.

I'm toying with the idea of going

Suggests a less serious consideration.

I entertained the thought of going

More formal and literary.

I was contemplating a trip

Reframes "going" as a "trip".

I've been giving some thought to going

More emphatic about the thinking process.

I'm inclined to go

Expresses a leaning or tendency.

I might go

Expresses a weaker possibility.

I'm planning to go

Indicates a higher level of intent.

FAQs

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

Use "I was thinking of going" to express a plan you are considering but haven't fully committed to. For example, "I was thinking of going to the gym after work."

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

You can use alternatives like "I considered going", "I'm contemplating going", or "I might go" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I was thinking of going" or "I am thinking of going"?

Both are correct. "I was thinking of going" implies a past consideration, while "I am thinking of going" indicates a present consideration.

What's the difference between "I was thinking of going" and "I am going to go"?

"I was thinking of going" expresses a tentative plan or consideration, whereas "I am going to go" suggests a more definite plan or intention.