thinking of selling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thinking of selling" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing consideration or contemplation about selling something, whether it's a product, property, or personal item. Example: "I'm thinking of selling my old car since I rarely use it anymore."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're thinking of selling it.

The New York Times

Is he thinking of selling up?

The Guardian - Business

Not that he is thinking of selling any time soon.

The Guardian

He is finally thinking of selling his house in Boston.

The New York Times - Sports

'I was wondering if you were thinking of selling it......

The Guardian

The Maharajah is even thinking of selling its art collection.Air India keeps ticket prices uneconomically low.

The Economist

He added: "I am not thinking of selling it at the present time.

The Guardian

Dr. Mirro and his partners had been thinking of selling for years.

The New York Times - Health

The family business: My father was thinking of selling in 1980.

The New York Times

So it may be helpful for homeowners thinking of selling to consult a tax professional.

The New York Times

The Maharajah is even thinking of selling its art collection.Read the whole piece.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thinking of selling" to convey a state of contemplation or consideration, not a definitive decision to sell. If the decision is final, use phrases like "planning to sell" or "going to sell".

Common error

Avoid using "thinking of selling" when a firm decision has already been made. This phrase suggests uncertainty, so use stronger verbs like "planning" or "deciding" when the sale is confirmed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thinking of selling" functions as a verb phrase expressing consideration or contemplation about selling something. It indicates a state of mind rather than a definite action. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

21%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thinking of selling" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey the act of contemplating a sale. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It maintains a neutral register and appears most commonly in news and business contexts. For clarity, it's best to specify what is being considered for sale and reserve this phrase for scenarios where the decision to sell is not yet final. Alternatives like "considering selling" or "contemplating selling" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering selling

More direct synonym.

contemplating selling

Suggests a more thoughtful and prolonged consideration.

entertaining the idea of selling

Implies an initial openness to the possibility of selling.

exploring the option of selling

Focuses on investigating selling as one potential course of action.

eyeing a sale

Informal way to suggest someone is considering a sale.

pondering a sale

Indicates a more deliberate and reflective consideration of selling.

weighing up a sale

Suggests comparing pros and cons of selling before making a decision.

toying with the idea of selling

Suggests a casual consideration, not yet serious.

mulling over selling

Implies a quiet, internal process of considering the sale.

assessing the potential for sale

Focuses on evaluating the viability and benefits of selling.

FAQs

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

Use "thinking of selling" to express that you are considering or contemplating selling something. For example, "I'm thinking of selling my house next year" or "She is thinking of selling her shares in the company".

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

You can use alternatives like "considering selling", "contemplating selling", or "exploring the option of selling" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "thinking of selling" or "thinking to sell"?

"Thinking of selling" is the correct and more common form. "Thinking to sell" is grammatically awkward and less frequently used. The preposition "of" requires a gerund (selling) rather than an infinitive (to sell).

Is "thinking of selling" formal or informal?

"Thinking of selling" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal business settings, phrases like "considering divestiture" might be more appropriate.