thinking over

USAGE SUMMARY

"thinking over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are considering or pondering something. For example: "I'm thinking over my decision to move overseas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

After thinking over these previous steps take the time to think to yourself, "what made me what I am today"?

WikiHow

She was thinking over the weekend.

The New York Times

He paused, clearly thinking over what he just said.

The New York Times

Thinking over this giant corporate bung, two responses immediately suggest themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thinking over that sentence, maybe it's a surprise I've sold any copies at all.

The New York Times

"I was thinking over and over again, trying to remember the minutest detail," she said.

Independent

It appears to the man that the student is thinking over the situation.

The New Yorker

Above all, though, it should feed into thinking over the EU's new constitution.

The Economist

I left the work feeling quite confronted; I'll be thinking over this one for a while.

The Guardian

There, I've said it". "That'll want thinking over Charley," she replied at once.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This was the way people were doing it before they were thinking over-consciously of making meticulous records.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, use "thinking over" to convey a sense of active contemplation, rather than a quick or superficial assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "thinking over" in contexts where simpler verbs like "considering" or "reflecting" would suffice. Redundancy can dilute the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thinking over" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a phrasal verb. It indicates the action of considering something carefully or reflecting upon it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and acceptable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "thinking over" is grammatically correct and widely used in English to express the act of carefully considering something. With numerous examples across various sources, "thinking over" is commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. While versatile, remember to avoid redundancy by choosing simpler verbs when appropriate. Consider using alternatives like "pondering" or "contemplating" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering

Omits the "over", making it a more general term for evaluating something.

pondering

Implies a deeper, more reflective consideration.

contemplating

Suggests a thoughtful and prolonged consideration.

reflecting on

Focuses on looking back and reviewing something.

deliberating

Implies careful and thorough discussion and consideration.

weighing up

Highlights the process of balancing different options or factors.

mulling over

Suggests a slow, unhurried process of thinking.

giving thought to

A more formal way of expressing consideration.

chewing over

An informal term for pondering something.

ruminating on

Suggests deep and often anxious thought about something.

FAQs

How can I use "thinking over" in a sentence?

"Thinking over" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of considering something carefully. For example, "I'm "thinking over" the job offer carefully before making a decision."

What's the difference between "thinking over" and "considering"?

"Thinking over" implies a more thorough and extended period of contemplation, while "considering" can refer to a quicker assessment. "Thinking over" suggests weighing different aspects or options.

What are some alternatives to "thinking over"?

Some alternatives include "pondering", "contemplating", or "reflecting on", each carrying slightly different nuances of consideration and reflection.

Is "thinking over" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "thinking over" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, phrases like "giving thought to" might be preferred depending on the specific context.