think of someone else

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "think of someone else" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when encouraging someone to consider the feelings or needs of another person, often in the context of selflessness or empathy. Example: "In times of conflict, it's important to think of someone else and how your actions may affect them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The Romney camp wants you to hear that message and think of someone else, and think that Obama's helping that person because he looks like them and not like you.

The New Yorker

If a highlighted task is something that absolutely does need to be done and thus can't just be deleted, try to think of someone else who'd actually enjoy doing it, and make a plan for how you can delegate it to that person.

University of California, Berkeley

For instance, she might think of someone else she can talk to.

HuffPost

Matt tries to calm her... get her to think of someone else.

Huffington Post

Like how the tech world is made up almost completely of people who wish they could have been Mark Zuckerberg, the art world is people who are bummed they didn't think of someone else's obvious idea first. .

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And, he adds, purpose is an elastic concept, not necessarily requiring renunciation but only that "you think first of someone else" or "have a goal greater" than your immediate gratification.

The New York Times

Psychologists report in Science that you're more likely to think warmly of someone else if you're holding something warm, like a mug of hot coffee or tea.

The New York Times

"The longer one listened to him, the more obvious it became that his inability to speak was closely connected with an inability to think, namely, to think from the standpoint of someone else".

The New York Times

"It always leads to new and exciting ideas for things you might never think of until someone else leads you there," he said.

The New York Times

Does she dare to think of meeting someone else, or will no one match up? "I haven't had a chance even to wonder about that.

The Guardian - Books

So it's not enough to tell your children about empathy or to think of how someone else feels.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "think of someone else", ensure the context clearly indicates who that person is and why their perspective or needs are relevant to the situation being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "think of someone else" without providing context about who the 'someone else' is. Ensure clarity by specifying the person or group you are referring to for effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think of someone else" functions primarily as an imperative phrase, often used to encourage empathy, altruism, or consideration of others' perspectives. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "think of someone else" is a common and grammatically correct way to encourage empathy and consideration for others. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It's versatile, appearing in news, academic, and general contexts. To enhance clarity, specify who the 'someone else' is. Related phrases like "consider others" and "be mindful of others" offer similar meanings, promoting a selfless perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider others

This alternative is more concise and directly emphasizes the act of taking others into account.

be mindful of others

This alternative emphasizes being aware and attentive to the needs and feelings of other people.

put yourself in someone else's shoes

This alternative highlights the importance of understanding another person's perspective by imagining their experiences.

show empathy

This alternative directly focuses on expressing understanding and compassion for others.

take others into consideration

This alternative emphasizes the act of including other people's needs and preferences when making decisions.

keep others in mind

This alternative suggests remembering and being aware of other people's needs and feelings.

be selfless

This alternative emphasizes prioritizing the needs of others above one's own.

have regard for others

This alternative stresses the importance of respecting and valuing other people's feelings and well-being.

look out for others

This alternative suggests being watchful and protective of other people's welfare.

think beyond yourself

This alternative prompts shifting focus from personal concerns to broader considerations, including others.

FAQs

How can I use "think of someone else" in a sentence?

You can use "think of someone else" to encourage empathy or altruism, such as: "Before making a decision, "think of someone else" who might be affected by your choice."

What does it mean to "think of someone else"?

To "think of someone else" means to consider their feelings, needs, or perspectives, often prioritizing them or taking them into account when making decisions or taking actions.

What's the difference between "consider others" and "think of someone else"?

"Consider others" is a more concise and direct way of saying ""think of someone else"", both emphasizing the importance of taking other people into account. The latter can sometimes imply a deeper level of empathy or understanding.

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

In a more formal context, you could use phrases like "take others into consideration" or "be mindful of others" instead of "think of someone else".