think on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "think on something" is not commonly used in standard written English; the more accepted form is "think about something." You can use it when you want to express the act of considering or reflecting on a particular topic or idea, but it's better to use "think about." Example: "I need to think about the proposal before making a decision."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It probably should go to Yahoo, but I think on something as big as email Microsoft will win the day in terms of the platform used to unify both.

TechCrunch

"I think on something of this magnitude, there is an obligation both moral but also legal, I believe, against a reporter disclosing something that would so severely compromise national security".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There was no referral upwards, and you would have thought on something as sensitive as this there would have been".

The Guardian

Time, one might think, for something new on the left.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I thought of something on Monday," Paulson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Think back on something you remember well from class ; was it a hands-on activity?

WikiHow

When you think wrongly on something things turn out just as wrong as you want them to.

WikiHow

Hold on, I just thought of something … Yes?

The Guardian

Here's something to think on.

Forbes

When you get on camera, don't stutter or think up something on the spot.

WikiHow

I think something on that order of magnitude would be certainly conceivable".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "think on something", consider if a more common alternative like "think about something" or "reflect on something" might be clearer and more widely understood.

Common error

Avoid using "think on something" in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "consider" or "reflect on" to maintain a professional tone. Overuse can make your writing sound awkward or less polished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think on something" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the act of considering or reflecting upon a particular subject. This is evident in the provided examples from Ludwig, where it is used to express the action of contemplation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

22%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "think on something" is less common than alternatives like "think about something". Ludwig indicates this through its analysis. It's primarily used in neutral to informal contexts, such as news articles or general discussions, and conveys the act of considering or reflecting upon a topic. For formal writing, consider using more standard alternatives. Remember to reflect this difference when writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider something

A more common and neutral way to express thinking about something.

give something thought

A common idiomatic phrase for considering something.

reflect on something

Implies a deeper, more contemplative consideration.

ponder something

Suggests a thoughtful and prolonged consideration.

mull over something

Implies turning something over in your mind.

contemplate something

Indicates a careful and extended consideration.

have thoughts on something

Expresses having an opinion or consideration on a topic.

deliberate on something

Suggests a formal or careful consideration.

meditate on something

Suggests a focus on something for spiritual or personal growth.

bear something in mind

Focuses on remembering and considering something.

FAQs

What's a more common way to say "think on something"?

The most common and widely accepted alternative is "think about something". Other options include "reflect on something" or "consider something".

Is "think on something" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "think on something" is less common and can sound awkward in some contexts. Ludwig AI suggests that the more standard phrasing is "think about something".

How do I decide when to use "think on something" versus "think about something"?

In most cases, "think about something" is preferable because it's more widely recognized and accepted. Use "think on something" only if you specifically want to convey a sense of deeper reflection or contemplation.

Are there contexts where "think on something" is more appropriate than "think about something"?

While rare, "think on something" might be used in specific regional dialects or in older literature. However, for contemporary writing, "think about something" is generally a safer and more universally understood choice.