think about something else

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "think about something else" is a grammatically correct and commonly used sentence fragment in written English.
It can be used in various contexts to suggest redirecting one's thoughts or focus onto a different topic or subject. Some examples of when it can be used are: 1. When someone is feeling upset or stressed about something, you can say "Why don't you try to think about something else and take your mind off it?" 2. In a heated argument, one person may say to the other, "Can we please think about something else for now? Let's cool off first before we continue this discussion." 3. In a creative writing piece, a character could say "I've been thinking about this problem all day, but maybe I should start thinking about something else and come back to it with a fresh perspective tomorrow." 4. In a therapy session, a therapist may direct their patient to "take a deep breath and try to think about something else, something that brings you joy or peace." Overall, "think about something else" is a versatile phrase that can be used in many different situations to suggest a shift in focus.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When you are thinking about the person you miss, try to think about something else.

WikiHow

When you find yourself thinking about these fears, look for ways to think about something else.

WikiHow

Train yourself to think about something else every time you start thinking about him/her — think about how much you love the person you're with instead.

WikiHow

He has to think about something else.

The New Yorker

It's not and it's time to think about something else".

The Guardian - Music

Isn't it time to think about something else?

The Guardian - Arts

But when he is fishing, Crane gets to think about something else.

The New York Times

Let's extend this courtesy to them, and think about something else - the characters, for example.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"You get away from everything and think about something else for a month.

The New York Times - Sports

For example, I can't think about something else and get dressed and be sure I've gotten all the way dressed".

The New Yorker

If the exhibitors had such a message, it was, "Think about something else".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When facing a creative block, use "think about something else" as a trigger to explore completely unrelated topics or activities. This can help spark new ideas and break free from unproductive thought patterns.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "think about something else" excessively in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "consider an alternative perspective" or "re-evaluate the current focus" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think about something else" primarily functions as an imperative, offering a direct suggestion to change one's focus. Ludwig AI indicates this is a common and grammatically sound phrase. It is used to encourage a shift in thought, providing a mental break or a means to overcome fixation on a particular topic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

34%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "think about something else" is a common and grammatically correct imperative phrase used to suggest a shift in focus, often to alleviate stress or break unproductive thought patterns. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is versatile and suitable for various informal contexts. While very prevalent in news and media, and wiki-based sources, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in professional or academic writing. Effective usage involves understanding the context and choosing the most appropriate phrase to convey the desired meaning, with alternatives like "redirect your thoughts" or "distract yourself" providing nuanced options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redirect your thoughts

Focuses on actively changing the direction of your thoughts.

shift your focus

Emphasizes moving your attention from one thing to another.

distract yourself

Highlights the act of diverting your attention away from something.

take your mind off it

Suggests temporarily relieving yourself from thinking about something.

occupy your thoughts

Implies filling your mind with alternative subjects to ponder.

turn your attention to something different

Emphasizes consciously changing what you are paying attention to.

change the subject in your mind

Focuses on mentally altering the topic you are considering.

find a mental distraction

Highlights the need for an alternative focal point to avoid rumination.

divert your mental energy

Implies reallocating cognitive resources to a new object of thought.

give your mind a break

Suggests pausing intense thinking and allowing the mind to rest.

FAQs

How can I use "think about something else" in a sentence?

You can use "think about something else" to suggest a change in focus, such as, "When you're feeling stressed, try to think about something else to take your mind off it."

What are some alternatives to "think about something else"?

Some alternatives include "redirect your thoughts", "distract yourself", or "take your mind off it", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "think about something else"?

Yes, "think about something else" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It functions as an imperative, suggesting an action.

When is it appropriate to use "think about something else"?

It's appropriate to use "think about something else" in situations where someone needs to shift their focus, such as when they are stressed, obsessing, or facing a mental block.