think doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "think doing" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express the idea of considering an action or activity, but it lacks clarity and grammatical structure. Example: "I need to think about doing my homework before the deadline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

And she's always been happiest, I think, doing it.

The New Yorker

"People think, doing business is good," he said.

The New Yorker

"I think doing nothing would have sent a terrible message.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think doing so is a sign of sloth and laziness".

The New York Times

MS. CORNEJO: I think doing this show was a way to unify people and work together.

The New York Times

But I think doing something that is a manual scoreboard is great.

The New York Times - Sports

I think doing a second film together [Bright Star] has enhanced our relationship.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

I think: don't talk.

The New Yorker

What do you think doesn't work?

The New York Times

Or at least I think do".

The New York Times

Do not think, do.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing consideration or intention, use grammatically correct alternatives like "thinking of doing", "planning to do", or "considering doing" for clarity and formal correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "think doing" in formal writing. While it appears in some contexts, it is not grammatically sound. Instead, use phrases like "thinking of doing" or "considering doing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think doing" functions as part of a verb phrase, typically expressing consideration or intention regarding an action. However, it's grammatically questionable. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is not correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "think doing" is relatively frequent in informal contexts such as news and media, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. Correct alternatives, such as "thinking of doing" or "considering doing", should be preferred in formal writing. The prevalence of this phrase in various sources suggests it is understood, but using proper grammatical constructions will enhance clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thinking of doing

Indicates a possibility or a casual consideration of an action.

consider doing

Emphasizes deliberation or careful thought before acting.

contemplate doing

Implies a more prolonged and serious consideration.

planning to do

Focuses on the intention and arrangement to perform an action.

intending to do

Highlights the purpose and resolve to carry out something.

believe in doing

Expresses a conviction or faith in the value of an action.

evaluating doing

Suggests a systematic assessment before making a decision.

assessing doing

Similar to evaluating but with a focus on determining the value of the action.

conceive of doing

Highlights the action of forming a concept or idea.

analyzing doing

Involves a detailed examination to understand the implications of the action.

FAQs

What are some correct ways to use "think" when referring to an action?

Instead of "think doing", you can use phrases such as "thinking of doing", "thinking about doing", or "considering doing" to correctly express your intention or consideration.

What can I say instead of "think doing" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, use alternatives like "consider doing", "contemplate doing", or "evaluate doing".

Is "think doing" grammatically correct?

No, "think doing" is not grammatically correct. The correct forms involve using a preposition like "of" or "about" before the gerund: "thinking of doing" or "thinking about doing".

What's the difference between "think doing" and "thinking of doing"?

"Think doing" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. "Thinking of doing" is the correct form and implies that you are considering or contemplating an action.