simply thinking about it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simply thinking about it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of considering or reflecting on something without any additional action or complexity. Example: "Simply thinking about it makes me realize how much I need to change my approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He wrote 237 books, more than any other Yorkshire person ever, which leaves me, as a fellow writer, exhausted simply thinking about it.

The Guardian

"If a person writes about a decision problem, as opposed to simply thinking about it, she develops greater confidence in the correctness of the decision she eventually reaches," he said in an e-mail.

The New York Times

And when each year passes, like this next one when my oldest enters full-day school for the first time and I begin to cry simply thinking about it, I'll remember that not one single step of this motherhood trek so far has been without trail magic.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

According to two recent papers from Assistant Professor Michael Slepian, we can't help but think about our secrets, and simply thinking about secrets leads to feelings of isolation, fatigue, and inauthenticity that undermine well-being.

Columbia University

Still, Beane acknowledged that he was not simply thinking about 2008 and, although he would never say it publicly, he probably questions whether his offensively challenged team can sneak into the playoffs.

The New York Times

"I try to get us away from simply thinking about the book as a vehicle for the words it contains, and to restore a sense of the book as a material, three-dimensional object — which can be hard to do because the screen is flat," says Price.

Harvard University

The more cynical interpretation of these condemnations is that the conservatives are simply thinking about the political blowback to Republicans as the case proceeds and, especially, if eventually it succeeds — taking away financial support and insurance protections for millions.

HuffPost

You can also try simply thinking about this thing if you'd like to avoid actually having to deal with it.

WikiHow

This implies that it matters when you think of how a message can be useful to others rather than simply thinking about yourself.

Harvard Business Review

Simply thinking about having that sort of control can be a nightmare, but modern security tools... make it easy to monitor and regulate Internet activity.

Huffington Post

Study 3 addressed a limitation of studies 1 and 2, the possibility that simply thinking about others decreased social discounting.

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simply thinking about it" to introduce a scenario or idea that has been considered but not necessarily acted upon. This can effectively set the stage for further discussion or analysis.

Common error

Avoid relying on "simply thinking about it" too frequently in your writing. While useful, overuse can make your prose sound repetitive. Vary your expressions by using synonyms like "contemplating" or "pondering" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply thinking about it" functions as a present participial phrase often used to introduce a thought, idea, or scenario. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The word "simply" acts as an adverb modifying the action of thinking.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "simply thinking about it" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that introduces a thought or consideration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, though more formal settings may require alternative expressions. It's often used to set the stage for further discussion or analysis. While the phrase is versatile, be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms for a more impactful writing style. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just contemplating it

Focuses on the act of thoughtful observation or reflection, implying a serene and unhurried consideration.

just thinking of it

A more direct and less formal way to express the same idea, focusing on the act of having the thought.

merely considering it

Emphasizes the basic act of taking something into account, without necessarily implying deep thought or action.

only pondering it

Highlights the act of weighing or considering something thoughtfully, often implying a sense of uncertainty or curiosity.

plainly reflecting on it

Suggests a straightforward and uncomplicated consideration of the matter.

simply mulling it over

Implies a casual and leisurely process of thinking something through.

only giving it thought

Emphasizes the action of dedicating mental attention to something.

just toying with the idea

Implies a casual or non-committal consideration of a concept or plan.

merely entertaining the thought

Suggests the consideration is not serious or intended to be acted upon.

just imagining it

Focuses on the act of forming a mental image or concept without necessarily planning or analyzing.

FAQs

How can I use "simply thinking about it" in a sentence?

You can use "simply thinking about it" to introduce a thought or consideration, as in "Simply thinking about it makes me anxious" or "Simply thinking about it gives me a new perspective."

What are some alternatives to "simply thinking about it"?

You can use alternatives like "just contemplating it", "merely considering it", or "only pondering it" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "thinking about it" and "simply thinking about it"?

Adding "simply" emphasizes the basic act of considering something without implying any further action or deep analysis. It highlights the thought itself as the primary focus.

When is it appropriate to use "simply thinking about it" in formal writing?

While not inherently informal, "simply thinking about it" is best suited for contexts where a straightforward, uncomplicated expression is desired. More formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "merely considering the matter".