is thinking about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is thinking about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express someone's contemplation or consideration regarding a particular subject or idea. Example: "She is thinking about pursuing a new career path that aligns with her passions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"He thinks about stuff nobody else is thinking about.

The New York Times - Sports

Everyone is thinking about Boston.

The New York Times

David Cameron is thinking about Britain's options.

The New Yorker

Thom Yorke is thinking about it.

The New Yorker

"He is thinking about his future.

The New York Times

My job is thinking about the team.

Independent

Now she is thinking about college.

The New York Times

Your mind is thinking about protecting it.

The New York Times - Sports

Officialdom is thinking about this, too.

The New York Times

Everyone is thinking about the short-term.

Independent

Vic Dark is thinking about "tomorrow", too.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is thinking about" when you want to convey that someone is actively considering something but hasn't necessarily made a decision or taken action yet.

Common error

Avoid using "is thinking about" if the person has already decided on a course of action. Use a phrase that indicates a decision, such as "has decided to" or "will be doing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is thinking about" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing mental process of considering or contemplating something. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used to describe someone's current thoughts or plans.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is thinking about" is a common and versatile construction used to express contemplation or consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across a variety of contexts, including news, business, and general conversation. While "is thinking about" is often interchangeable with synonyms like "is considering" and "is contemplating", it's important to choose the word that best reflects the nuance of the intended meaning. When using "is thinking about", ensure the subject is actively engaged in contemplation rather than having already reached a decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is contemplating

Focuses on the act of deep consideration or reflection.

is considering

Highlights the act of weighing different options or possibilities.

is pondering

Suggests a more thoughtful and often slower form of consideration.

is reflecting on

Emphasizes a retrospective consideration of a past event or idea.

is giving thought to

Highlights the act of consciously directing one's thoughts towards something.

is mulling over

Implies a private and internal process of deliberation.

is weighing up

Focuses on assessing the pros and cons of a decision.

is planning

Shifts the focus to the development of a strategy or course of action.

is devising

Focuses on inventing or creating a new plan or method.

is formulating

Emphasizes the precise and systematic development of an idea or plan.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "is thinking about"?

You can use alternatives like "is contemplating", "is considering", or "is pondering" depending on the context.

How to use "is thinking about" in a sentence?

You can use "is thinking about" to indicate someone is actively considering a topic, for example, "She is thinking about going to college".

What's the difference between "is thinking about" and "is planning"?

"Is thinking about" indicates consideration, while "is planning" suggests a decision has been made and steps are being taken.

Which is correct, "is thinking about" or "is thought about"?

"Is thinking about" indicates active consideration, while "is thought about" means something is being contemplated by others.