thinking it to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thinking it to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be an attempt to express a thought process or intention, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I was thinking it to be a good idea, but I changed my mind."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Instead of thinking it to be a punishment (having to watch your little brother instead of playing video games), think of it as an honor.

WikiHow

In Port Moresby, she met a mother who fed her three-month-old chocolate milk thinking it to be better than breastmilk.

The Guardian

And when young women eschew feminism, thinking it to describe an uneven temper and hairy armpits, does it have any reliable meaning or future?

The Guardian - Opinion

The British geologist Robert Jameson coined the term Old Red Sandstone in 1808, mistakenly thinking it to be A.G. Werner's Aelter Rother Sandstein, now known to be of Permian age.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So it is completely understandable that people fear having no health insurance, but the solution isn't to go even further down the dark twisty trail we have taken, thinking it to be some kind of short-cut.

University of California, Berkeley

When asked about the growing circumstantial evidence that the separatists shot down the jet in error, thinking it to be a Ukrainian air force plane, Borodai said: "It's a lie and I hope it will be proved as a lie by experts, including international experts who have already arrived on our territory".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

They have grown up thinking it normal to go online to do everything from ordering a coffee to watching TV.

The Economist

And I was thinking it had to be mine".

The New York Times - Sports

Thinking it unwise to refuse, he dredged up his best schoolboy Latin.

The Economist

It means you do the job without thinking it leads to another job.

The Guardian

He wrote down the man's telephone number, thinking it best to call the husband later.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "thinking it to" in formal writing. Instead, use alternatives like "believing it to be" or "considering it to be" for clearer and more grammatically correct expression.

Common error

Resist the urge to use "thinking it to" simply because it might sound idiomatic. While language evolves, grammatical accuracy is crucial for effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thinking it to" functions as part of a verb phrase, expressing a mental process or assessment. However, it deviates from standard grammatical structure, typically requiring a more complete verb form, as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

16%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "thinking it to" appears in various contexts, its grammatical structure is questionable. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect. Therefore, it's advisable to favor more grammatically sound alternatives such as "believing it to be" or "considering it to be", particularly in formal writing. Although it's common, it's important to use it with caution and be mindful of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering it to be

Replaces "thinking" with "considering", implying a more deliberate evaluation or judgment.

believing it to be

Substitutes "thinking" with "believing", suggesting a conviction or acceptance of something as true.

assuming it to be

Substitutes "thinking" with "assuming", conveying a belief taken for granted.

imagining it to be

Replaces "thinking" with "imagining", emphasizing a mental image or scenario.

judging it to be

Replaces "thinking" with "judging", highlighting an evaluation based on certain criteria.

presuming it to be

Replaces "thinking" with "presuming", indicating an assumption made without concrete proof.

regarding it as

Uses "regarding" to shift the focus to how something is viewed or treated.

interpreting it as

Uses "interpreting" to emphasize a particular understanding or explanation.

mistaking it for

Replaces "thinking" with "mistaking", implying an error in perception or identification.

deeming it as

Employs "deeming" to convey a formal assessment or judgment.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "thinking it to"?

Alternatives like "believing it to be", "considering it to be", or "assuming it to be" offer clearer and grammatically sound substitutes for expressing a similar thought process.

Is "thinking it to" ever correct in English?

While you might encounter it in informal speech, "thinking it to" doesn't adhere to standard English grammar. It's generally best to opt for more conventional phrasing in both writing and speech.

How can I improve my sentence structure when tempted to use "thinking it to"?

Focus on using a proper verb form after "thinking." For example, instead of "thinking it to be," try "thinking it is," "thinking it will be," or "thinking it to be X", where 'X' is a noun or adjective, ensuring grammatical accuracy.

What's the difference between "thinking it to be" and "believing it to be"?

While both express a mental state, "believing it to be" suggests a stronger conviction than "thinking it to be". However, it is more correct to use "believing it to be" as "thinking it to be" is grammatically incorrect.