thinking about what

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'thinking about what' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are considering something, questioning a topic, or reflecting on an idea. For example: I was sitting in my bedroom, thinking about what I wanted to do with my life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Go thinking about what you can give.

Huffington Post

We need to be thinking about what does it mean to think like a biologist?

International Journal of STEM Education

Thinking about what?

The New York Times

I can't stop thinking about what happened.

The New York Times

Thinking about what I'm going to do".

The New York Times - Sports

Thinking about what can be done.

Cornell University

I'm thinking about what we will discuss.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was thinking about what came before.

The New York Times

"We are thinking about what to do.

The Guardian

I keep thinking about what can happen.

The New Yorker

I'm thinking about what I'm doing wrong.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thinking about what" to introduce a reflection, consideration, or contemplation on a particular subject, especially when the outcome or resolution is uncertain.

Common error

In formal writing, consider using more precise verbs like "evaluating", "assessing", or "analyzing" instead of the more general "thinking about what" to convey a specific type of cognitive process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thinking about what" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to introduce a clause expressing consideration, reflection, or contemplation. It commonly introduces indirect questions or expresses uncertainty about a topic. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

18%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thinking about what" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for introducing a reflection, consideration, or contemplation. While versatile, writers should consider the context and opt for more precise verbs in formal settings. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's prevalence across news media, academic texts, and general discourse. When seeking alternatives /s/considering+what, "considering what", /s/reflecting+on+what "reflecting on what", or /s/pondering+what "pondering what" can offer similar nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering what

This alternative replaces "thinking" with "considering", implying a more deliberate and careful thought process.

reflecting on what

This alternative uses "reflecting on" to suggest a deeper and more contemplative consideration of the subject.

pondering what

This alternative uses "pondering" which suggests a thoughtful and prolonged consideration.

wondering about what

This alternative uses "wondering" implying a sense of curiosity or uncertainty about the subject.

contemplating what

This alternative replaces "thinking" with "contemplating", suggesting a more formal and serious consideration.

assessing what

This alternative uses "assessing", implying an evaluation or judgment of the subject.

evaluating what

This alternative replaces "thinking" with "evaluating", emphasizing a critical examination of the subject.

analyzing what

This alternative uses "analyzing" implying a detailed and systematic examination of the subject.

planning what

This alternative shifts the focus to planning, suggesting the intention to organize or prepare for something.

deciding what

This alternative focuses on making a decision or choice about the subject.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "thinking about what" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "considering what", "reflecting on what", or "contemplating what". These alternatives /s/contemplating+what can add a more sophisticated nuance to your writing.

When is it appropriate to use "thinking about what"?

The phrase "thinking about what" is suitable in a wide range of contexts, from informal conversations to news reports. It's particularly useful when you want to convey a general sense of consideration or uncertainty about a topic.

What are some common synonyms for "thinking about what"?

Common synonyms include "pondering what", "wondering about what", and "considering what". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example /s/wondering+about+what, "wondering" suggests curiosity.

Is "thinking about what" grammatically correct?

Yes, "thinking about what" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. It's a common way to introduce a question or reflection on a particular topic.