thought being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thought being" is not correct or usable in written English.
You could use the phrase "though being," but its usage would depend on the context in which it was used. For example, "Though being far apart, they still maintained their close connection."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He thought being satiated didn't exist.

The New York Times

He had thought being gay was merely about sex.

Independent

"I wanted that, because I thought being gay was deviant.

The New York Times - Magazine

Fetterman knew this, of course, but he thought being mayor would give him a "bully pulpit".

The New York Times - Magazine

"I thought being healthy was important," Manning said, offering the final word on resting the starters.

The New York Times - Sports

Certain people thought being bi was trendy, exotic and a fashion statement.

Independent

"I thought being an American was having liberties and being able to make my own decisions".

The New York Times

Harper thought being elected as prime minister meant that he ruled a country.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But I wouldn't have thought being political is a handicap in his current job.

The New York Times

I don't think any of us thought being a woman would be an impediment.

The Guardian

In his freshman year, he thought being Asian was the most important aspect of his being.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, avoid using "thought being". Instead, rephrase your sentence to incorporate more standard constructions like "the thought of being" or "the idea of being". For example, instead of "He disliked thought being alone", try "He disliked the thought of being alone".

Common error

Avoid using "thought being" as a gerund or noun phrase. It's not grammatically sound. Instead, clarify your intended meaning by using a proper noun or gerund form followed by "being". For example, instead of "Thought being a doctor was easy", use "The thought of being a doctor was appealing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought being" often appears in contexts where it attempts to function as a gerund or part of a noun phrase. However, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, it is often grammatically incorrect and requires rephrasing for clarity. It's not a standard grammatical construct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "thought being" appears frequently, as shown by Ludwig, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI's analysis underscores the importance of rephrasing to achieve clarity and grammatical accuracy. Instead, consider using alternatives such as "the thought of being" or "the idea of being", especially in formal contexts. While it appears mostly in news and media, it's advisable to avoid this phrase in formal writing. Proper alternatives enhance the clarity and correctness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believed to be

Focuses on the belief or general acceptance of something's existence or state.

considered as

Highlights the act of considering or regarding something in a particular way.

perceived as

Indicates how something is understood or seen by others.

deemed to be

Indicates a judgment or assessment about something's nature or quality.

regarded as

Highlights the manner in which something is viewed or treated.

the idea of existence

Shifts the focus to the concept of existing or being.

the concept of being

Emphasizes the philosophical idea of "being" or existence.

conceived as

Focuses on the initial formation of an idea or concept.

contemplated as

Implies a deeper consideration or reflection on something.

envisioned as

Highlights the act of imagining or foreseeing something in a specific form.

FAQs

How can I properly use the word "thought" with "being" in a sentence?

Instead of "thought being", consider using phrases like "the thought of being", as in, "The thought of being a leader was daunting". You can also use it to describe someone's thinking: "His first thought was being rescued".

What are some alternatives to using "thought being" in my writing?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives like "the idea of being", "the concept of being", or rephrasing to avoid the construction altogether. For example, instead of "I appreciated thought being inclusive", use "I appreciated the idea of being inclusive".

Is "thought being" grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "thought being" is generally not considered grammatically correct in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more accepted phrases like "the process of being" or "the idea of being" for better clarity and adherence to standard English.

What's the difference between "thought being" and "though being"?

While "thought being" is generally ungrammatical, "though being" (with 'though' indicating concession) is grammatically valid but might still be stylistically awkward. For example, "Though being tired, she continued working" is acceptable, but rephrasing might provide more clarity.