what was he thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

"what was he thinking" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
This phrase is usually used when someone is surprised or confused by someone else's actions or decisions, and is questioning their thought process. Example: Mark shook his head in disbelief as he watched his friend jump off the cliff into the freezing water. He turned to Sarah and asked, "What was he thinking?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's what makes it more heart-wrenching, when you weren't with them, and you think, what was he thinking?

Independent

I think it would be pretty surprising to a lot of people: What was he thinking?" He scrunched up his face and shoulders.

The New York Times - Magazine

So what was he thinking?

The New York Times

Seriously, what was he thinking?

The New York Times

What was he thinking of?

The Guardian - Arts

And what was he thinking about?

The New York Times

They want to know: What was he thinking?

The New York Times

What was he thinking for those 12 immobile minutes?

The New York Times

What was he thinking about out there, I wondered.

The New York Times - Sports

So what was he thinking about, back in church?

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

No what-was-he-thinking moments.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "what was he thinking" to express confusion, disbelief, or disagreement with someone's actions or decisions. It's best used when the action seems illogical or poorly considered.

Common error

Avoid using "what was he thinking" when you genuinely want to understand someone's perspective. This phrase often implies judgment rather than a desire for clarification. Instead, ask directly about their reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what was he thinking" serves as an interrogative expression, primarily functioning as a rhetorical question. It questions the rationality or reasoning behind someone's actions. Ludwig shows that it's used to express disbelief or confusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what was he thinking" is a common and grammatically correct way to express disbelief, confusion, or disapproval regarding someone's actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used and understood. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves as a rhetorical question, often implying a negative judgment about the person's reasoning. While alternatives exist to soften the accusatory tone, this phrase remains a potent and frequent expression for questioning someone's decision-making process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what were they thinking

Plural form, asking about the thoughts of multiple people.

what was going through his mind

Focuses more on the internal mental state.

what could he have been thinking

Expresses more doubt or disbelief.

what possessed him

Implies a more irrational or impulsive action.

how could he think that was a good idea

Expresses strong disagreement with the decision.

what was his rationale

More formal, inquiring about the logical basis of the decision.

what was he hoping to achieve

Focuses on the intended outcome of the action.

what led him to believe that

Focuses on the reasons behind a belief.

what induced him to do that

Suggests external influence or persuasion.

what was the justification for that

Asks for an explanation or defense of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "what was he thinking" in a sentence?

The phrase "what was he thinking" is typically used rhetorically to express disbelief or confusion about someone's actions. For example: "He drove through a red light; what was he thinking?"

What's a less judgmental alternative to "what was he thinking"?

If you want to understand someone's reasoning without sounding accusatory, try asking "What were your reasons for that?" or "Can you explain your thought process?" These questions invite explanation rather than criticism.

Is "what was he thinking?" always a rhetorical question?

While often used rhetorically, "what was he thinking?" can also be a genuine question seeking an explanation, though the tone might still carry some skepticism. The context and delivery are key.

What other phrases convey a similar sense of disbelief as "what was he thinking"?

Alternatives that express disbelief or confusion include "what possessed him", "what was going through his mind", or the more direct "Why did he do that?"