thinking
A1Neutral (used across all registers)
Definition
Meaning
The process of using one's mind to consider or reason about something; a person's ideas or opinions.
Can also refer to the characteristic way a particular group or individual reasons, or a specific line of thought. In adjective form, it describes someone who uses intelligence or is capable of thought.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun refers to both the cognitive process and the resulting thoughts. The adjective ('thinking') is often used attributively (e.g., 'thinking person'). The gerund ('thinking') can function as a verbal noun.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. Minor spelling variations in related forms (e.g., BrE 'rumour', AmE 'rumor') do not affect 'thinking' itself.
Connotations
Equally neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[ADJ] thinking[V] about/of/throughdo some thinkingput one's thinking cap onVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “put on one's thinking cap”
- “wishful thinking”
- “to my way of thinking”
- “the thinking man's/woman's...”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for decision-making processes (e.g., 'strategic thinking', 'design thinking').
Academic
Central to cognitive science, philosophy, psychology (e.g., 'critical thinking', 'abstract thinking').
Everyday
Common for describing opinions or mental processes (e.g., 'What's your thinking on this?', 'I was just thinking...').
Technical
In AI/computer science, refers to machine cognition or problem-solving algorithms.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I've been thinking about your proposal.
- What are you thinking of doing for the bank holiday?
American English
- I'm thinking of moving to the city.
- We're thinking about taking a vacation out West.
adjective
British English
- She is a thinking individual who questions everything.
- The book is aimed at the thinking reader.
American English
- All thinking people agree on this issue.
- He's the thinking man's action hero.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I am thinking about my family.
- Stop thinking and start doing!
- Positive thinking can improve your mood.
- What's your thinking on the best way to solve this?
- Her writing reflects a profound change in political thinking.
- The project requires a different way of thinking.
- The philosopher challenged the very foundations of Western thinking.
- His lateral thinking produced an ingenious solution to the logistical nightmare.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Link to 'sink' (as in 'sink into thought') or 'ink' (as in putting thoughts into ink). Think + ING = the ongoing activity inside your head.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS A JOURNEY ('follow a line of thought', 'arrive at a conclusion'), THINKING IS MANIPULATING OBJECTS ('turn it over in your mind', 'piece together an idea').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing the noun 'thinking' (мышление, образ мыслей) with 'thought' (мысль).
- The adjective 'thinking' (мыслящий) is used attributively, not predicatively (*'He is thinking' is a verb, not an adjective).
- The phrase 'way of thinking' often maps to 'образ мышления', not a direct word-for-word translation.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'thinkings' as a plural countable noun (uncountable).
- Confusing 'I am thinking of you' (considering/remembering) with 'I think of you' (general opinion).
- Overusing progressive forms for state verbs ('I'm thinking it's wrong' vs. 'I think it's wrong').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common idiom using 'thinking'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'thinking' as a noun is generally uncountable. You do not say 'thinkings'. You can refer to 'a way of thinking' or 'schools of thought'.
'Thinking' refers to the active process of reasoning. 'Thought' often refers to a single idea produced by that process or the general faculty of thinking. 'Thinking' is more dynamic.
Yes, but primarily in an attributive position (before a noun), e.g., 'a thinking creature', 'the thinking woman's guide'. It describes something that thinks or is for people who think.
No. The correct patterns are 'I'm thinking of going' or 'I'm thinking about going'. The verb 'think' is not followed directly by a 'to'-infinitive in this progressive sense.
Collections
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Innovation
B2 · 46 words · Language of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.