imagining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "imagining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of forming mental images or concepts of something that is not present or real. Example: "I find myself imagining a world where everyone lives in harmony and peace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Tech

Books

Travel

Arts

Sport

Film

Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Our generation has the opportunity to stop imagining and wondering and start building the better Scotland we all know is possible," he declared in the preface to the document.

The Guardian

But imagining – and extrapolating – is really all we can do, because we don't yet have the data we need for this group in most countries.

The Guardian

Ofcom, which on Monday cleared a controversial Channel 4 "mockumentary" imagining the first 100 days of a Ukip government despite more than 6,000 complaints, said it was investigating the broadcast.

The Guardian

A controversial "mockumentary" imagining the first 100 days of a Ukip government has been cleared by the broadcasting watchdog after attracting more than 6,000 complaints, the Guardian can reveal.

The Guardian

I read the entire article in sigh-o-vision, imagining the air of polite resignation with which he recounted his part in the matter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But whether the name change means obliteration or maturation, we should not make the mistake of imagining that it means nothing at all.

The Guardian - Books

I lay under the crisp white sheets, warmed by a tartan blanket, trying to read but really just imagining the passing landscape, not wanting to sleep... 6am: somewhere outside Plymouth.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Imagine the wry contempt the master criminal must have felt for Holmes, living at the centre of the brutal British empire and imagining that Moriarty's little crimes were the worst thing in the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

APPLE prides itself on constantly re-imagining the future, but even the world's leading gadget-maker likes to dwell on the past too.

The Economist

Having sold the crown jewels a generic-drugs outfit in 2010, for $3.8 billion, he is now busy re-imagining the family firm for the third time.

The Economist

Instead, they reckoned, a thought experiment imagining what the world would look like without a particular innovation might help.A world without HFTs is both easy and very difficult to imagine.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "imagining", ensure the context clearly indicates whether it refers to a creative, speculative, or anticipatory mental process.

Common error

In formal or academic writing, avoid overusing "imagining" when more precise terms like "hypothesizing", "simulating", or "modeling" would be more appropriate. Choose the verb that best fits the specific mental process you are describing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "imagining" is that of a present participle or a gerund. As a present participle, it often forms part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "I am imagining"). As a gerund, it functions as a noun (e.g., "Imagining the future"). This aligns with Ludwig's examples, showcasing its versatile use in sentence construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Tech

8%

Books

7%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Imagining" is a versatile term used to describe the act of forming mental images or concepts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable in various contexts. Its frequency is "very common", particularly in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Opinion writing. When using "imagining", consider alternatives like "visualizing" or "envisioning" for more specific nuances. Be mindful of overusing it in formal writing where more precise terms may be required. Its broad applicability makes "imagining" a valuable tool for expressing creativity, speculation, and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

visualizing

Focuses on creating a visual representation in the mind.

conceiving of

Emphasizes the mental formation of an idea or plan.

envisioning

Suggests seeing something in the future or in one's imagination.

picturing

Implies creating a mental picture, often of something familiar.

contemplating

Indicates thinking deeply about something, often with an element of speculation.

assuming

Suggests accepting something as true without proof.

speculating

Focuses on forming a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence.

presuming

Implies taking something for granted.

fantasy

Dreaming or considering something unlikely to happen.

daydreaming

Having a series of pleasant thoughts that distract one from reality.

FAQs

How can I use "imagining" in a sentence?

"Imagining" can be used to describe the act of forming a mental image or concept, such as in the sentence, "I am "imagining" what it would be like to live on Mars."

What can I say instead of "imagining"?

Alternatives to "imagining" include "visualizing", "envisioning", or "conceiving of", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "imagining" as a noun?

Yes, "imagining" can function as a noun, though it's less common. For example, "Her darkest "imagining" became a reality."

What's the difference between "imagining" and "fantasizing"?

"Imagining" typically refers to a more general act of forming mental images, while "fantasizing" often implies a more elaborate and unrealistic scenario.