I was thinking shit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was thinking shit" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English, though it is informal and may be considered vulgar.
You can use it to express frustration, disappointment, or a casual reflection on negative thoughts or ideas. Example: "While I was waiting for the meeting to start, I was thinking shit about how unprepared I felt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

On top of that I was thinking: shit we're going to put this out into the world for people to see.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's 11 in the morning and he's snorting lines of cocaine and I'm thinking, "Shit, is that what we are now?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So i'm thinking shit this sucks because I really like my job.

Huffington Post

Having seen the play during its run at the Royal Court in London, Kwei-Armah was thinking: "Shit.

The Guardian

@ben_mAndell.

Vice

But you can see their faces, they're thinking: "Shit, is this really what we've been aspiring to?" The characterisation is so clever that everybody I know who's middle-class I can put into one of those camps.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"And I was thinking, like, 'Shit, even Tom thinks that, and he's God.'" He thinks some more.

The Guardian

"I was thinking, 'Oh shit.

Vice

Most of the audience was rapt with attention, but Liew happened to say exactly what I was thinking, "This guy is full of shit; I'm outta here".

TechCrunch

Christopher Priest, who wrote the novel the film is based on, saw it three times as of January 5, 2007, and his reaction was "'Well, holy shit.' I was thinking, 'God, I like that,' and 'Oh, I wish I'd thought of that.'" In 2009, The A.V. Club included The Prestige in their best films of the decade list.

Wikipedia

I was thinking, 'shit, that almost puts me under pressure.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was thinking shit" sparingly and be mindful of your audience. This phrase is highly informal and can be offensive in professional or formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "I was thinking shit" in formal writing or presentations. Its informal nature makes it inappropriate for academic, business, or professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was thinking shit" functions as an expression of negative evaluation or realization. It conveys a sense of dismay, disappointment, or strong disapproval. Ludwig shows that similar phrases often express negative opinions or reactions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Lifestyle

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was thinking shit" is a grammatically correct, yet highly informal and vulgar expression used to convey negative thoughts or realizations. While Ludwig confirms its grammatical validity, it emphasizes its unsuitability for formal contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Lifestyle sources, this phrase should be used cautiously, considering the audience and setting. Alternatives such as "I thought that was terrible" or "I realized this was bad" offer less offensive ways to express similar sentiments in more professional environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was thinking this was awful

A more explicit negative assessment.

I thought that was awful

Replaces "shit" with "awful" offering a less vulgar alternative.

I figured that was terrible

Expresses a negative opinion.

I thought that was terrible

This alternative is a more descriptive way of expressing a negative opinion.

I thought this was a mistake

Highlights the perception of an error or misjudgment.

I realized this was bad

Focuses on the realization of a negative situation.

I believed this was wrong

Conveys a sense of moral or ethical objection.

I considered this a disaster

Emphasizes a strong negative assessment of a situation.

I had a negative thought

Simply states the presence of a negative thought.

I was concerned about this

Focuses on worry or apprehension regarding a situation.

FAQs

What does "I was thinking shit" mean?

The phrase "I was thinking shit" is an informal and somewhat vulgar way to express that you were having negative or unpleasant thoughts about something. It's similar to saying you were thinking something was bad or terrible.

When is it appropriate to use "I was thinking shit"?

This phrase is only appropriate in very informal settings with people you know well. Avoid using it in professional, academic, or formal situations where it could be considered offensive or unprofessional.

What are some less offensive alternatives to "I was thinking shit"?

You can use alternatives like "I thought that was terrible", "I thought that was awful", or "I realized this was bad" depending on the context.

Is "I was thinking shit" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase is grammatically correct, but it is highly informal and considered vulgar. While it follows the basic structure of a sentence, its use of strong language makes it unsuitable for formal contexts.