is reflecting on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is reflecting on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of thinking deeply or carefully about something, often in a contemplative manner. Example: "She is reflecting on her experiences during the past year to gain insight into her personal growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Actor Josh Brolin, at the peak of his career with starring roles in two of the summer's biggest blockbusters, is reflecting on one of his lowest moments: a domestic abuse arrest involving ex-wife Diane Lane.

HuffPost

One way to do this, he suggests, is reflecting on times when one was happy and on which aspects of the experience made it so.

Science Magazine

He is immune to doubt or self-reflection, unless he is reflecting on that girl he fucked or that burger he totally crushed.

Vice

— BRIAN STELTER Betsy Andreu, the wife of one of Armstrong's former teammates, is reflecting on the interview on CNN and is generally not impressed by what she heard.

The New York Times

At the end of the case Hever is reflecting on a proposal he submitted for providing CDC services to one of the largest U.K. companies.

Harvard Business Review

Backstage at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, one of Europe's most famous concert halls, Mariss Jansons is reflecting on his latest performance.

The Guardian - Music

Bandt is reflecting on Gillard's exit.

The Guardian

"Everyone is reflecting on it, and they're right to".

The New York Times

You're beginning your tenure when the school is reflecting on its 200-year history.

Harvard University

"He is reflecting on it, and his position is going to be known".

The Guardian

Madam Speaker is reflecting on the merits of asking questions in bowler hats.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is reflecting on" when you want to convey a sense of thoughtful consideration or introspection about a specific topic or event. It's particularly effective when describing someone's internal thought process or retrospective analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "is reflecting on" when a simpler phrase like "is thinking about" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal or pretentious in casual contexts. Choose the phrase that best matches the tone and complexity of the thought being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is reflecting on" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a state of thoughtful consideration. It describes the act of someone engaging in deep thought about a particular subject, as evidenced by various examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is reflecting on" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates thoughtful consideration or introspection. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Academic, and Science contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in very casual settings, opting for simpler alternatives when appropriate. Remember to choose the phrase that best matches the tone and complexity of the thought being described. The phrase is typically followed by "on" and serves to convey introspection and thoughtful analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is contemplating

Focuses more on the act of deep thinking or pondering.

is considering

Implies a more deliberate and evaluative thought process.

is pondering

Suggests a more weighty or significant consideration.

is thinking about

A more general term for having something in mind.

is deliberating on

Emphasizes the careful and thorough nature of the thought process.

is meditating on

Implies a more spiritual or introspective form of reflection.

is reviewing

Implies looking back on something to assess its value or impact.

is assessing

Focuses on evaluating the merits and drawbacks of something.

is musing over

Suggests a more relaxed and less structured form of thinking.

is analyzing

Implies a more structured and detailed examination.

FAQs

How can I use "is reflecting on" in a sentence?

You can use "is reflecting on" to describe a thoughtful consideration of a past event or idea. For example, "The author "is reflecting on" the themes in her novel" or "The CEO "is reflecting on" the company's performance this year".

What are some alternatives to "is reflecting on"?

Some alternatives include "is contemplating", "is considering", or "is thinking about", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "is reflecting on" or "is reflecting about"?

"Is reflecting on" is the correct usage. The preposition "on" is typically used with "reflecting" to indicate the subject of thought. "Is reflecting about" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "is reflecting on" and "is considering"?

"Is reflecting on" often implies a deeper, more contemplative thought process, usually involving past events or experiences. "Is considering", on the other hand, suggests a more active evaluation of different options or future possibilities.