thinking

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The use of your mind to form ideas, solve problems or reach opinions.

   Grammar: Uncountable: careful thinking, not 'a careful thinking'.

   Patterns

   • thinking about something
   • the thinking behind something

   This puzzle needs clear thinking.

   The thinking behind the plan was simple.

   Good thinking, you remembered the tickets!

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Using careful thought, or showing the ability to reason.

   Grammar: Goes before a noun: a thinking person.

   Patterns

   • a thinking person

   She is a thinking person who weighs every choice.

   Chess rewards thinking players over fast ones.

3. 3verbtransitive or intransitive

   The -ing form of think, used to show an ongoing process of considering or believing.

   Grammar: Used after be: I am thinking about moving; not 'I am thinking you are right' for opinions.

   Patterns

   • thinking about something
   • thinking of doing something

   I'm thinking about changing jobs.

   They were thinking of visiting Spain in June.

Common combinations

critical thinking

The course teaches critical thinking.

wishful thinking

Hoping for sun in November is wishful thinking.

way of thinking

Travel changed her way of thinking.

creative thinking

The problem called for creative thinking.

quick thinking

His quick thinking saved the day.

Synonyms and how they differ

reasoning

Focuses on logical steps toward a conclusion.

reflection

Suggests slow, quiet thought about the past.

thought

Can mean a single idea; thinking is the ongoing activity.

Opposites

Word family

think verb

to use the mind

thought noun

an idea or the act of thinking

thoughtful adjective

considerate or reflective

Commonly confused: thinking or thing?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “thinking”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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