reflecting to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reflecting to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct phrase would be "reflecting on" when discussing thoughts or considerations about a subject. Example: "Reflecting on my experiences, I realize how much I have grown over the years."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Journalists cannot help reflecting to some degree the viewpoint of the soldiers they are accompanying.

Independent

News organisations also have a lot of reflecting to do, with so many blindsided by the results.

The Guardian

With extraordinary speed, it established its identity, reflecting, to an uncanny degree, the attitudes and personality of Mary herself.

The Guardian

The crew on board the Premicon Queen had been nothing if not friendly, so I was left reflecting to myself on the intimate bonhomie of river cruises.

Independent

Analyst James Ainley said: "The business has been the best performing division in the group in the last few years reflecting to some extent the geographical positioning of the Nordic region which has meant little low cost carrier development.

The Guardian - Business

You can't keep a good man down, and while he waits for the result of the Plebgate investigation and his mooted return to the cabinet, the one-time international development secretary Andrew Mitchell has been reflecting to Jemima Khan on how things might have been if David Davis had won the 2005 party leadership contest.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

For now, every loss reflects, to some degree, on him.

The New York Times

Give yourself time to reflect, to recount, to reconcile.

Huffington Post

I had time to reflect, to pray, to be still.

Huffington Post

That absence can be a space to reflect, to feel.

Vice

"I would want the education materials to reflect that, to reflect the best quality evidence".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "reflecting to". Instead, use "reflecting on" when referring to contemplation or deep thought. For representation, consider "mirroring" or "representing".

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "to" after "reflecting" due to confusion with other verbs. Always remember that when "reflecting" describes thinking deeply, the correct preposition is "on". For example, it should be "reflecting on the past", not "reflecting to the past".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reflecting to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Typically, when referring to deep thought, the correct form is "reflecting on". Therefore, its primary grammatical function is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reflecting to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. When expressing deep thought or contemplation, the correct phrase is "reflecting on". For scenarios involving representation or mirroring, alternative terms like "mirroring" or "representing" are more appropriate. Ludwig AI indicates that this incorrect phrase should be avoided. It is crucial to use precise and grammatically sound language, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reflecting on

This is the standard and grammatically correct way to express thinking deeply about something.

thinking about

This phrase is a more general way to describe considering something.

considering

This implies a more formal and deliberate thought process.

pondering over

This suggests a more prolonged and thoughtful consideration.

contemplating

This is a more formal and philosophical way to describe thinking deeply.

mirroring

This implies a direct and accurate representation.

representing

This suggests a more symbolic or abstract form of portrayal.

corresponding to

This phrase indicates a similarity or equivalence between two things.

alluding to

This implies indirectly referencing something.

indicative of

This indicates that something serves as a sign or symptom of something else.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "reflecting" in a sentence?

When you mean thinking deeply about something, the correct phrase is "reflecting on", as in "I was "reflecting on" my childhood". When referring to representation, consider "mirroring" or "representing".

Is "reflecting to" grammatically correct?

No, "reflecting to" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct preposition to use when expressing deep thought is "on".

What can I say instead of "reflecting to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like ""reflecting on"", "thinking about", "considering", "mirroring", or "representing".

What's the difference between "reflecting on" and "reflecting to"?

"Reflecting on" is the correct and commonly used phrase to express thinking deeply about something. "Reflecting to" is not grammatically correct and should be avoided.