thinking about doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thinking about doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing contemplation or consideration of an action or task. Example: "I am thinking about doing some volunteer work this summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And seriously thinking about doing it, before saying, no thanks?

The New York Times

"I'm seriously thinking about doing something else with my life, maybe starting a business.

Science Magazine

When thinking about doing a quest, make sure you check what the reward is before doing it.

WikiHow

What are you thinking about doing next?

The New York Times

Thinking about doing a PhD?

The Guardian

He's still thinking about doing the murder.

The New York Times

Its something we are thinking about doing.

The Guardian

I'm not thinking about doing something else".

The Guardian

Is there something we should be thinking about doing differently?

The New York Times

She didn't tell me she was thinking about doing it.

The New Yorker

That's when I started thinking about doing this.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate the phrase in interviews or features to humanize a subject's decision-making journey.

Common error

A common mistake is using "thinking to do" instead of "thinking about doing". In English, the verb "think" followed by a future action typically requires the preposition "about" or "of" followed by the gerund (-ing form). Direct infinitives like "thinking to go" are generally considered non-standard or archaic in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thinking about doing" functions as a progressive verb phrase that signals a state of mental deliberation. It utilizes the present participle of "think" to establish an ongoing process, followed by the preposition "about" and the gerund "doing" to define the object of thought as a prospective action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thinking about doing" is a versatile and grammatically robust tool in English. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence across a wide spectrum of media, from light-hearted lifestyle advice to serious political reporting. It serves as the ideal bridge between having a raw idea and forming a concrete plan. While it is inherently flexible, writers should favor it over the incorrect "thinking to do" and use more formal alternatives like "contemplating doing" or "considering doing" when the context requires a more analytical or serious tone. Overall, it is one of the most reliable ways to express the human process of weighing possibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering doing

Slightly more formal and implies a more structured evaluation of the options.

contemplating doing

Suggests a deeper or more serious level of reflection on the action.

planning on doing

Shifts the focus from mere thought to a higher degree of intent and preparation.

weighing up

Emphasizes the process of comparing the advantages and disadvantages.

mulling over

An idiomatic expression suggesting a slow and deliberate thinking process.

intending to do

More direct and indicates a clear objective or goal.

exploring the idea of

Suggests a preliminary phase of investigation or openness to a concept.

looking into doing

Implies the speaker is actively researching or investigating the feasibility.

pondering

A more literary alternative that suggests thoughtful or reflective deliberation.

toy with the idea of

Suggests a more casual or less serious consideration of the action.

FAQs

How do I use "thinking about doing" in a sentence?

You can use this phrase to show that an action is currently being considered but is not yet finalized. For example: "I am thinking about doing a photography course next year." If you want to sound more formal, you might use "considering doing".

Is "thinking about doing" correct in professional writing?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. While it is quite common in speech, it appears frequently in news and business contexts to describe projects in development. If you need a more decisive tone, consider using "planning on doing".

What is the difference between "thinking about doing" and "thinking of doing"?

In most contexts, they are interchangeable. However, "thinking of doing" can sometimes imply a more sudden or fleeting idea, whereas "thinking about doing" often suggests a more sustained period of deliberation. You can also use "contemplating doing" for a more intense version of the latter.

Can I say "thinking to do" instead?

Generally, no. "Thinking to do" is not common in modern English and usually sounds like a translation error. The correct idiomatic form is "thinking about doing" or simply "intending to do".