only thinking about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only thinking about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a focus or preoccupation with a specific thought or idea. Example: "She was only thinking about her upcoming exam and how to prepare for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Personal Safety

Winning

Rescuing

Language

Music

Politics

Self

Obama

Coming back strong

Race

Emotions

Friends

First place

Patient

Money

First Words

Subprimes

Social Media

Animals

Our Safety

Installment

Culture

News Coverage

Hungry

Effort

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm only thinking about just winning the game tomorrow," Thomas said after Saturday's practice.

The New York Times - Sports

I think the head of these gangs, they are only thinking about their pockets.

The New Yorker

"We want technological exchange…started to think about the business model, it's under development… and nowadays we are only thinking about the technical problems… we are not thinking right now on the business".

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

"We're only thinking about Portland".

The Guardian - Sport

I'm only thinking about your personal safety.

The New York Times - Arts

We are only thinking about winning.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was only thinking about rescuing the next passenger".

The New York Times

Just we are only thinking about the language".

The Guardian

When it starts I'm only thinking about the music.

The Guardian - Music

"I'm only thinking about 7 May," he responds.

The Guardian

These days, he said, managers are only "thinking about self".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only thinking about" when you want to emphasize a singular focus or preoccupation with a specific subject, excluding other considerations. It's effective for highlighting priorities or limitations in thinking.

Common error

Avoid using "only thinking about" when you need to convey nuanced thought processes that involve multiple considerations. Overusing it can simplify complex situations and make your writing sound simplistic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only thinking about" functions as a qualifier or modifier, limiting the scope of one's thoughts or concerns to a specific subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is used to emphasize a singular focus, as seen in examples like "I'm only thinking about just winning the game tomorrow."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only thinking about" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a singular focus or prioritization, as verified by Ludwig. It appears most frequently in news and sports contexts. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid oversimplifying complex scenarios. Remember to use this phrase when you intend to highlight a deliberate limitation of focus. According to Ludwig's findings, the phrase is suitable for a broad audience and can be found in various registers, mainly in "News & Media". Therefore, it's essential to consider context when deciding whether "only thinking about" accurately represents the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely considering

Replaces 'thinking' with 'considering' and 'only' with 'solely' to emphasize a single focus.

exclusively focused on

Substitutes the entire phrase with an adjective phrase emphasizing a singular concentration.

completely absorbed in

Emphasizes a state of being engrossed in something, suggesting a deeper level of focus.

entirely preoccupied with

Highlights a state of being mentally dominated by a particular thought or concern.

just concentrating on

Uses 'concentrating' to convey the idea of focusing one's mental efforts.

singularly devoted to

Implies a commitment of focus and energy towards a specific subject.

obsessively pondering

Conveys an intense, sometimes excessive, level of thought and focus.

primarily concerned with

Indicates that a particular issue or subject is the main thing being worried about or considered.

intently reflecting on

Suggests a deep and careful consideration of a specific topic.

keenly analyzing

Emphasizes a sharp and detailed examination or consideration of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "only thinking about" to express a singular focus. For example, "During the exam, I was only thinking about the next question".

What are some alternatives to "only thinking about"?

Alternatives include "solely considering", "exclusively focused on", or "completely absorbed in", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "only thinking about"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a limited or focused thought process.

What's the difference between "only thinking about" and "just thinking about"?

"Only thinking about" emphasizes a deliberate restriction of focus, while "just thinking about" can imply a more casual or initial consideration. The former suggests exclusivity, whereas the latter suggests current thought.