i was thinking of

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was thinking of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used as the beginning of a sentence to express thoughts, ideas or plans that someone had in the past. It can also be used in the middle of a sentence to express a sudden realization or a change in thought process. Example: I was thinking of going for a walk in the park, but then I remembered I have to finish my assignment. In this example, the writer had a thought or plan to go for a walk, but then had a sudden realization that they have an assignment to finish.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 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

I was thinking of Iraq.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "I was thinking of" with a specific action verb to clearly convey your intended action, such as "I was thinking of applying for the job" or "I was thinking of visiting my family".

Common error

Avoid using "I was thinking of" when describing a current decision you are actively making. Instead, use "I am thinking of" to reflect the present nature of your thought process.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I was thinking of" is to introduce a past thought or consideration. As Ludwig AI explains, it often precedes a verb in the gerund form, indicating the specific action or idea that was being contemplated. This is supported by examples where the phrase leads into various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was thinking of" is a versatile phrase used to introduce past thoughts or considerations. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, most commonly in News & Media. While it's appropriate for neutral register, it's crucial to use it accurately, distinguishing it from "I am thinking of" for present considerations. When using "I was thinking of", remember it is best practice to follow it with a specific action or idea to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternative phrases like "I considered" or "I had been contemplating" for different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I considered

A more concise and direct way of expressing consideration.

I had in mind

Implies a plan or intention that was being formed.

I was planning on

Directly indicates a plan or intention.

I had been contemplating

Focuses on the continuous nature of considering something.

I contemplated

Implies a formal and thorough consideration.

I've been pondering

Emphasizes a deeper, more thoughtful consideration.

I entertained the idea of

Highlights the consideration of an idea or possibility.

I was toying with the notion of

Suggests a casual or playful consideration.

I envisioned

Focuses on creating a mental image of something.

I had designs on

Suggests a more ambitious or strategic intention.

FAQs

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

You can use "I was thinking of" to introduce a past consideration or idea, such as, "I was thinking of taking a vacation next month" or "I was thinking of trying a new restaurant last week".

What's a more formal way to say "I was thinking of"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "I had been contemplating", "I had considered", or "I entertained the idea of".

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

Yes, "I am thinking of" implies you are currently considering something, while "I was thinking of" refers to a thought you had in the past. They are both grammatically correct but have different meanings.

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

"I was thinking of" often implies a more casual or initial stage of consideration, while "I considered" suggests a more deliberate and thorough evaluation.