was thinking of going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was thinking of going" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a consideration or contemplation about going somewhere or doing something in the past. Example: "I was thinking of going to the concert last night, but I decided to stay home instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

I was thinking of going to Texas Tech to become a petroleum engineer.

The New York Times

I asked her if she was thinking of going into the armed forces.

The Guardian

After a pause, he added, "I was thinking of going back to Falluja".

The New York Times - Books

"He was obviously disturbed by that and was thinking of going to see a priest.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I told her, 'Oh, no, when I was a boy I was thinking of going into the Church.

The New Yorker

I knew when he started going at the yardage to the hole, he was thinking of going straight.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"If you are thinking of going to fight in the Middle East, think again," then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in 2015.

Vice

"If women are thinking of going for a change of career, they might now think 'I can do this'," she says.

BBC

He is thinking of going to Ireland.

The New Yorker

I'm thinking of going there myself".

The New York Times

I'm thinking of going to Cambodia".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the subtle difference between "was thinking of going" and alternatives like "considered going" or "planned to go". The original phrase conveys a less concrete intention than the alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "was thinking of going" when you actually did go. Use a simple past tense like "I went" to indicate that the action was completed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was thinking of going" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past intention or consideration. It expresses a state of contemplation regarding a potential action, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was thinking of going" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a past consideration or intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media. While alternatives like "considered going" or "planned to go" exist, each conveys slightly different nuances regarding the certainty and stage of the intention. When writing, be mindful of using the correct tense and choosing the most appropriate phrase to accurately reflect the level of consideration involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considered going

Replaces the continuous "thinking" with the more definitive "considered", implying a slightly more formal assessment.

contemplated going

Suggests a deeper level of thought and consideration compared to "thinking".

entertained the idea of going

Indicates an openness to the possibility of going, though not necessarily a firm decision.

had in mind to go

Highlights the intention or plan to go, focusing on the mental picture.

was planning to go

Emphasizes the planning stage, suggesting some preparation might have been involved.

intended to go

Focuses on the initial intention to go, without necessarily implying extensive thought.

had designs on going

A more figurative way of expressing intent, suggesting a deliberate plan.

felt like going

Highlights the emotional aspect of wanting to go, driven by feeling or desire.

was on the verge of going

Indicates a near decision or action, suggesting a high likelihood of going.

toyed with the notion of going

Suggests a casual or playful consideration, without firm commitment.

FAQs

What does "was thinking of going" mean?

The phrase "was thinking of going" indicates a past intention or consideration to go somewhere or do something. It suggests the idea was in your mind, but you may or may not have acted on it.

How can I use "was thinking of going" in a sentence?

You can use "was thinking of going" to describe a past plan or idea. For example, "I was thinking of going to the beach, but the weather turned bad."

What's the difference between "was thinking of going" and "considered going"?

"Was thinking of going" implies a more tentative consideration, while "considered going" suggests a more deliberate evaluation of the option.

Are there other phrases I can use instead of "was thinking of going"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "contemplated going", "entertained the idea of going", or "planned to go", depending on the nuance you want to convey.