even thinking about

USAGE SUMMARY

'even thinking about' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to illustrate how strongly one feels or how intense their emotions are. For example, "I don't even want to think about what would happen if I failed the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are not even thinking about Rome".

Independent

Makes me tired even thinking about it.

The New York Times

Even thinking about it gives me indigestion".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm not even thinking about next year.

The New York Times - Sports

Without even thinking about it".

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm not even thinking about contract situations.

The New York Times

"It's scary, just even thinking about it".

The New Yorker

He would panic even thinking about it.

The Washington Post

"I wasn't even thinking about it".

The New York Times - Sports

They weren't even thinking about the game.

The New York Times - Sports

"I wasn't even thinking about the playoffs".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "even thinking about" in your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is apprehensive or concerned about.

Common error

Avoid using "even thinking about" multiple times in a single paragraph or short piece. Overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your phrasing with synonyms or alternative expressions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even thinking about" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, adding emphasis to the act of thinking. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it is used to illustrate how strongly one feels or how intense their emotions are.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even thinking about" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to emphasize the intensity of an emotional response to a particular thought. As Ludwig AI confirms, it highlights strong feelings or apprehensions. While versatile, it's more common in neutral and informal registers such as news and media, and formal business contexts, but less frequent in strictly academic or scientific writing. When writing with "even thinking about", consider varying your sentence structure to avoid overuse and maintain reader engagement. Be also aware of the context of this expression to be grammatically correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to even consider

Emphasizes on the simple idea of take something into consideration.

the mere thought of

Underscores the basic cognitive process of thinking.

the very idea of

Emphasizes a very first impact of a given idea or concept.

merely considering

Focuses on the act of consideration itself, minimizing any associated emotion or consequence.

just contemplating

Highlights the act of thoughtful consideration, often implying a degree of calmness or detachment.

just the notion of

Highlights the concept of a consideration with notion.

barely considering

Stresses a small amount of consideration.

simply pondering

Emphasizes a quiet, reflective type of thinking, often about abstract concepts.

only imagining

Focuses on the act of visualization or fantasy, rather than a practical consideration.

upon reflection

Highlights the act of thinking after an event, often to give feedback or new ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "even thinking about" in a sentence?

Use "even thinking about" to express a strong feeling or aversion towards something. For example, "I get nervous "even thinking about it"" shows anxiety related to a particular thought.

What are some alternatives to "even thinking about"?

You can use phrases like "just contemplating", "merely considering", or "the mere thought of" as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "even thinking about" and "just thinking about"?

"Even thinking about" implies a stronger emotional reaction or apprehension compared to "just thinking about", which is a more neutral consideration. "Even" adds emphasis to the act of thinking.

When is it appropriate to use "even thinking about" in formal writing?

While "even thinking about" can be used in formal writing, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and doesn't introduce unnecessary colloquialism. It's more common in scenarios where expressing personal reactions is acceptable, such as opinion pieces or reflective analyses.