thought of doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thought of doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing consideration or contemplation of an action or activity. Example: "I had a thought of doing some volunteer work this summer to give back to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The thought of doing music, like properly?

The Guardian - Music

"So the thought of doing more is very threatening".

The New York Times

"I can't believe no one thought of doing this before".

The New York Times - Sports

Why hasn't anyone thought of doing that before?

The Guardian - Travel

Consider: Like riding Niagara in some barrels / Is the thought of doing without those carrels.

Princeton University

The thought of doing nothing will, of course, make many executives distinctly uncomfortable.

Harvard Business Review

And the thought of doing that now, I'd be like, "I'll crush you, boy".

The New York Times - Arts

The thought of doing it myself sends me into paroxysms of panic.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was kind of horrified by the thought of doing one thing for so long.

The New York Times

None of them seemed happy with the thought of doing it every day.

The New York Times

"The thought of doing a degree would not have crossed my mind.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis or indicate that the 'thought' was negative, use modifiers such as 'dreaded,' 'horrified,' or 'unpleasant' before "thought of doing".

Common error

Avoid using "thought of doing" when describing definite actions or commitments. This phrase implies consideration, not necessarily execution. For instance, instead of saying "I had a thought of doing the dishes, and then I did them," say "I thought about doing the dishes, and then I did them" or "I did the dishes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought of doing" functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It represents the idea or consideration of performing a specific action. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to express contemplation or initial planning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thought of doing" is a versatile phrase used to convey consideration or contemplation about performing an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It appears frequently in news, academic, and business contexts, demonstrating its broad applicability. While "thought of doing" is often interchangeable with phrases like "considered doing" or "contemplated doing", it's crucial to use it accurately to reflect initial consideration rather than firm intent. A useful tip is to use modifiers such as 'dreaded,' 'horrified,' or 'unpleasant' before "thought of doing" to add emphasis or indicate that the 'thought' was negative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considered doing

Implies a more deliberate evaluation than a fleeting thought.

contemplated doing

Suggests a deeper, more prolonged consideration.

entertained the idea of doing

Indicates that the idea was considered, even if briefly.

had in mind to do

Focuses on a plan or intention, rather than a mere thought.

envisioned doing

Emphasizes the mental imagery and visualization of the action.

imagined doing

Highlights the hypothetical or speculative nature of the action.

had plans to do

Highlights the planning stage.

weighed the option of doing

Suggests a careful balancing of pros and cons.

mused about doing

Implies a thoughtful, but potentially aimless, consideration.

speculated about doing

Focuses on conjecture and possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "thought of doing" in a sentence?

The phrase "thought of doing" is used to express consideration or contemplation about performing a certain action. For example, you might say, "The "thought of doing" more work was exhausting."

What are some alternatives to "thought of doing"?

You can use alternatives such as "considered doing", "contemplated doing", or "entertained the idea of doing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "thinking of doing" instead of "thought of doing"?

While both are grammatically correct, "thinking of doing" typically implies a more active and ongoing consideration, whereas "thought of doing" suggests a more fleeting or initial consideration. Both phrases are generally interchangeable.

What's the difference between "intention of doing" and "thought of doing"?

"Intention of doing" implies a definite plan or purpose, while "thought of doing" simply suggests that the idea has crossed your mind, without necessarily implying any commitment or planning. The "intention of doing" carries more weight than just a passing "thought of doing".