thinking of changing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thinking of changing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are considering altering something or in the process of considering a switch. For example: I'm thinking of changing careers and becoming a teacher.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no-one is thinking of changing himself".

Huffington Post

When you are thinking of changing a lightbulb, it's very important to think about "lifetime cost".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Let's say you're thinking of changing careers.

The New York Times

"I was thinking of changing it to Cloris".

The New Yorker

Because thinking of changing the status quo is always uncomfortable.

The Guardian - Books

(Hong says he is thinking of changing the firm's name to Honorable Mention).

The New Yorker

"So I mused that I was thinking of changing my position on the death penalty.

The New Yorker

Gjolberg' publicity man, Joseph Peters, said that they are thinking of changing the name.

The New Yorker

"I'm thinking of changing my name by deed poll to Dan Wagna".

The Guardian - Business

If you're thinking of changing jobs, the first thing to remember is to be very careful.

The Guardian

She wants to stay in the UK but is thinking of changing specialties.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, follow this phrase with a brief rationale to provide context for your deliberation, such as "I am thinking of changing the project timeline because of the recent data."

Common error

Do not use "thinking of changing" if you have already decided on the course of action. Using this phrase when a decision is final can lead to confusion or the perception of indecisiveness. If the change is certain, use "<a href="/s/decided+to+change" target="_blank" rel="alternative">decided to change" or "<a href="/s/planning+to+change" target="_blank" rel="alternative">planning to change" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thinking of changing" acts as a present participle construction used to express a state of deliberation or intention. According to Ludwig, it typically functions as part of a continuous verb phrase when preceded by a form of "to be" (e.g. "is thinking"). This usage is confirmed as correct by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Social Media

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thinking of changing" is a robust and highly useful expression in the English language. As demonstrated by the extensive data from Ludwig, it is used by world-class publications to describe everything from career pivots to changes in government policy. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Whether you are writing a professional email or a journalistic piece, using "thinking of changing" allows you to describe the process of reflection with precision and clarity. It is best used when a decision is still in the works, offering a more nuanced alternative to more definitive verbs like "deciding" or "altering".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering a change

Provides a more formal tone suitable for professional contexts.

contemplating a shift

Suggests a deeper level of thought or a strategic adjustment.

looking to switch

Implies a more active search for a replacement or a different path.

entertaining the idea of changing

Suggests the consideration is in the very early or hypothetical stages.

weighing an alternative

Focuses on the comparison between the current state and a potential new option.

pondering a transition

Often used when the change involves a significant move from one state to another.

mulling over a modification

Indicates a period of slow, careful reflection on small adjustments.

deliberating a replacement

Specific to scenarios where one thing is being swapped for another.

reflecting on a revision

Common in writing or policy contexts where review is part of the process.

planning to alter

Moves closer to a finalized decision than mere consideration.

FAQs

How to use "thinking of changing" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a potential shift in career, habits or objects. For example, "I am "thinking of changing" my daily routine to include more exercise."

What can I say instead of "thinking of changing"?

Depending on the context, you can use "<a href="/s/considering+a+change" target="_blank" rel="alternative">considering a change", "<a href="/s/contemplating+a+switch" target="_blank" rel="alternative">contemplating a switch" or "<a href="/s/pondering+a+transition" target="_blank" rel="alternative">pondering a transition".

Which is correct, "thinking of changing" or "thinking to change"?

The phrase "thinking of changing" is the standard idiomatic expression. While "<a href="/s/thinking+to+change" target="_blank" rel="alternative">thinking to change" is occasionally used, it often sounds less natural to native speakers.

Is "thinking of changing" formal or informal?

It is neutral and versatile. It is perfectly acceptable in both casual conversation and professional journalism, as seen in examples from The New York Times and The Guardian.