rethinking about what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rethinking about what" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "rethinking what" or "thinking about what." Example: "I am rethinking what I want to achieve in my career."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"No contract has been offered yet, so hopefully I can perform in these last four games and get them rethinking about what they want to do.

BBC

"Surely, there'll be a rethinking about what target a building exhibits".

The New York Times

But those failures and that backlash did not change the basic realities of national coalition-building; it just required some rethinking about what kind of policy mix a center-right coalition should pursue.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For me, though, it helps me rethink about what my life is about and how it still relates to the 21st century even if I need to wear a medieval outfit".

The Guardian

Are there assumptions we might rethink about what motivates people to change?

Huffington Post

Feedback from family is something that Tom tends to think about, especially now that he has a young daughter, which has caused him to rethink about what art he wants to put into the world.

Vice

In the town that for better or worse represents post-war suburban development in South Jersey, there has been a lot of rethinking lately about what this sprawling area should do with its remaining swaths of land.

The New York Times

From punters who'd had a flutter following the film's rapturous reception, and editors scrambling to rethink plans about what the win might say about resistance to Putin.

The Guardian - Film

What is needed is a radical rethink about what mirrors are made from.

The Economist

Cruddas said Labour had united around "a radical rethink about what it is for".

The Guardian

Part of the reason for the delay has been a rethink about what reform and modernisation would entail.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "rethinking about what" in formal writing. Opt for the more grammatically sound "rethinking what".

Common error

The word "about" is often redundant after "rethinking". Stick to "rethinking what" to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rethinking about what" functions as a verbal phrase introducing an indirect question. It expresses the action of reconsidering or re-evaluating a specific subject or idea. Although some examples exist, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rethinking about what" expresses the act of reconsidering a subject or idea. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically incorrect due to the unnecessary preposition "about". While present in some news sources, it's advisable to use alternatives like "rethinking what", "reconsidering what", or "re-evaluating what" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy. Despite its presence in certain contexts, opting for grammatically sound alternatives enhances the overall quality and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rethinking what

Omits the unnecessary preposition "about", resulting in a grammatically correct phrase.

reconsidering what

Replaces "rethinking" with "reconsidering", offering a similar meaning with a different verb.

re-evaluating what

Substitutes "rethinking" with "re-evaluating", emphasizing a more formal and structured reassessment.

reassessing what

Uses "reassessing" instead of "rethinking", highlighting a process of reviewing and adjusting.

revising what

Implies a more formal and systematic review, often with the intention of making changes.

thinking again about what

Adds emphasis on the act of thinking again with a little change in the original expression.

reflecting on what

Shifts the focus to a more contemplative and thoughtful reconsideration.

reviewing what

Highlights a formal process of examining something again.

revisiting what

Suggests returning to a topic or idea for further consideration.

re-examining what

Emphasizes a detailed and careful reconsideration.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "rethinking about what"?

The grammatically preferred way is to say "rethinking what". The word "about" is unnecessary and makes the phrase less concise.

What can I say instead of "rethinking about what"?

Alternatives include "reconsidering what", "re-evaluating what", or "reassessing what", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "rethinking about what" or "rethinking what"?

"Rethinking what" is the correct and more concise form. The inclusion of "about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect.

Is "rethinking about what" ever acceptable in writing?

While you might find instances of "rethinking about what" in informal contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for "rethinking what" or another alternative for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.