thinking which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thinking which" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to introduce a clause that elaborates on a specific thought or idea, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I was thinking which option would be best for our project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thinking which Bowie song to cover.

Independent

Blue skies thinking, which may be transformative, is endangered.

The Guardian - Opinion

They always know, without thinking, which way traffic flows.

The New Yorker

Jimmy asks what she's thinking, which is never wise.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And that thinking (which is itself something other than performance) is the essence of the cinema.

The New Yorker

He couldn't convey thinking, which is not a sign of stupidity, just a failure of technique.

The New Yorker

"He told me what he was thinking, which I thought would be great.

The New York Times

Hey, that's evidence-based thinking, which is part of what they're fighting.

The New York Times

The UK's Department for International Development is reportedly gearing up its urban thinking, which is welcome.

The Guardian

But we reject such thinking, which would simply leave the UK slipping behind.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's exactly this sort of radical, disruptive thinking which the Innovation Programme wants to fund.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "thinking which" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically correct alternatives such as "considering which" or "reflecting on which" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

A common mistake is directly following "thinking" with "which" to introduce a clause. This often results in awkward phrasing. Always insert a preposition or rephrase to improve the sentence's flow and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thinking which" often attempts to introduce a relative clause specifying an object of thought or a choice being considered. It functions as an incomplete connector, requiring rephrasing to achieve grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thinking which" is frequently used, but flagged as grammatically incorrect. It attempts to link a thought process with a subsequent choice or consideration. Ludwig examples reveal its presence across News & Media and Science sources, yet its usage compromises grammatical accuracy. Alternatives like "considering which" or "reflecting on which" offer more precise and grammatically sound ways to express the intended meaning. While common, avoiding "thinking which" in formal writing enhances clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering which

This alternative offers a more grammatically sound way to introduce the option being considered.

reflecting on which

This alternative emphasizes a deeper contemplation of the choices.

pondering which

This implies a more thoughtful and deliberate consideration.

deciding which

This focuses on the act of making a choice between alternatives.

determining which

This alternative suggests a more formal and analytical process of selection.

figuring out which

This implies a problem-solving approach to choosing an option.

as I consider which

This phrase expands the original while maintaining its grammatical accuracy.

thinking about which

This is a grammatically correct alternative, though slightly less concise.

wondering which

This suggests a sense of curiosity or uncertainty about the selection.

considering what

Switches from a selection between known options to a more open-ended consideration.

FAQs

What's a better way to phrase a sentence using "thinking which"?

Instead of "thinking which", use phrases like "considering which", "reflecting on which", or "deciding which" for clearer and more grammatically correct sentences.

Is "thinking which" grammatically correct?

No, "thinking which" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to rephrase using alternatives like "considering which" or "thinking about which" for improved grammar.

When is it acceptable to use "thinking which"?

While commonly used, "thinking which" is generally not acceptable in formal writing. It is preferable to use grammatically correct alternatives in professional or academic contexts. It might appear in informal conversation, but should be avoided in written communication.

What are some alternatives to "thinking which" that maintain a similar meaning?

Alternatives to "thinking which" include "considering what", "pondering which", or rephrasing the sentence entirely to avoid the direct combination of "thinking" and "which".