what were you thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

"What were you thinking?" is a perfectly correct and usable sentence in written English.
It can be used to ask someone to explain why they did something, especially something that appears to be foolish, ill-advised, or unexpected. For example, "What were you thinking when you decided to quit your job and move halfway around the world?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Why, what were you thinking?

The New York Times

What were you thinking, hypothetically?

The New Yorker

Stonewall: what were you thinking?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Jesus, what were you thinking?

The New Yorker

"Frankie, what were you thinking?" asks Simon.

The Guardian

No. What were you thinking, Mark Few?

The Guardian - Sport

What were you thinking, Mr Brooker?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

John Hurt, what were you thinking?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

To the Editor: What were you thinking?

The New York Times

Oh Clive, what were you thinking?

The Guardian - Sport

And Philip Roth, what were you thinking?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “What were you thinking?” to express surprise, disbelief, or concern about someone's actions or decisions. Tailor your tone to the context, whether it's a lighthearted joke or a serious inquiry.

Common error

While “What were you thinking?” is versatile, avoid using it excessively in professional settings, as it can come across as accusatory or dismissive. Instead, opt for more neutral inquiries like "Could you explain your reasoning?"

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "What were you thinking?" is to form an interrogative sentence that questions someone's past reasoning or judgment. It seeks to understand the thought process behind a specific action or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “What were you thinking?” is a common interrogative used to question someone's judgment or reasoning behind a past action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. While versatile, its appropriateness varies by context, with more formal settings often benefiting from more neutral language. Predominantly found in “News & Media” and “Science” sources, its frequent use underscores its relevance in everyday communication. Alternatives like "what was going through your mind" offer nuanced ways to explore someone's decision-making process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What was going through your mind?

Focuses on the mental process behind the action.

What possessed you to do that?

Implies a strong, perhaps irrational, impulse.

What were you hoping to achieve?

Questions the intended outcome or goal.

What was your rationale?

Seeks a logical explanation or justification.

Can you explain your reasoning?

Asks for a detailed explanation of the thought process.

What led you to believe that was a good idea?

Challenges the assumption that the action was well-considered.

What made you think that was acceptable?

Questions the appropriateness of the action.

Why did you consider that to be a wise decision?

Implies disagreement with the decision made.

What were the factors in your decision?

Asks for the key considerations that influenced the choice.

Could you walk me through your decision-making process?

Requests a step-by-step account of how the decision was reached.

FAQs

How can I use "What were you thinking?" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to question someone's judgment or reasoning behind an action. For example, you might ask, "What were you thinking when you decided to invest all your savings in that company?"

What are some alternative ways to ask about someone's thought process?

You can use alternatives like "what was going through your mind", "what possessed you to do that", or "can you explain your reasoning" depending on the context.

Is "What were you thinking?" appropriate in all situations?

While versatile, this phrase can be seen as confrontational. In formal situations, it's better to use a more neutral phrasing like, "Could you elaborate on your thought process?" or "What was the rationale behind your decision?"

What's the difference between "What were you thinking?" and "What are you thinking?"

"What were you thinking?" refers to a past action or decision, questioning the thought process at that time. "What are you thinking?" inquires about current thoughts or plans.