I'm thinking about/of

Writer’s Note

Important tip! You want to avoid saying "I’m thinking to" because it is grammatically incorrect.

Example:
❌ "I’m thinking to change my mind" or "I’m thinking to make pasta" are incorrect.
✅ You want to aim for "I’m thinking of" + gerund’ or "I’m thinking about verb+ing".

Both "I’m thinking about" and "I’m thinking of" are used to talk about something you're considering or imagining. They’re often interchangeable, but can feel slightly different in tone:

"I’m thinking about"→ often used for processes or reflections

"I’m thinking of" → often used for specific ideas, plans, or mental images.

Here are a few more fun examples to help you:

"I'm thinking about"

1. I’m thinking about writing a children’s book based on my cat’s daily adventures.
我正在考虑写一本基于我猫咪日常冒险的儿童书。
2. I’m thinking about what it would be like to live in a treehouse.
我在想 住在树屋里会是什么样子。
3. I’m thinking about starting a podcast where I interview my grandparents.
我正在考虑 开始一个播客，内容是采访我的祖父母。
4. I’m thinking about taking a month off just to explore small towns and sketch them.
我在考虑请一个月的假，只是为了去探索小镇并绘制它们的素描。
5. I’m thinking about how weirdly quiet the world gets at 4 a.m.
我在想 世界在凌晨4点时变得如此奇怪的安静。

"I'm thinking of"

1. I’m thinking of turning my closet into a secret reading nook.
我在考虑把我的衣柜改造成一个秘密阅读角。
2. I’m thinking of naming my bread dough, "Martha".
我正在考虑 给我的面包面团取名为“Martha”。
3. I’m thinking of baking something I’ve never tried—like a lavender lemon tart.
我在考虑烘焙一些我从未尝试过的东西，比如薰衣草柠檬挞。
4. I’m thinking of sending handwritten letters instead of texts for a week.
我在考虑用手写信代替短信一周。
5. I’m thinking of creating a short film based entirely on everyday sounds.
我正在考虑制作一部完全基于日常声音的短片。

Speaking incorrect grammatical sentences will make it harder for the listener to understand what you are trying to say. So make sure you practice out loud, record and listen to your own voice to get comfortable with these expressions.