I Was Thinking vs. I Am Thinking – Which is Correct?
“I was thinking” and “I am thinking” are both correct English expressions. Use “I was thinking” for a thought in progress in the past, often to introduce a suggestion or explain earlier reflection. Use “I am thinking” for a current thought, consideration, or tentative plan. Context determines the best choice.
I Was Thinking or I Am Thinking – Which Is Correct?
Both “I was thinking” and “I am thinking” are correct American English phrases. The difference is mainly grammatical tense and time perspective.
“I was thinking” uses the past continuous tense. It describes a thought that was developing at an earlier time. It is also a polite, conversational way to introduce a suggestion, request, or possible plan.
“I am thinking” uses the present continuous tense. It describes a thought or decision that is happening now or continuing around the present time. It often communicates current consideration, uncertainty, or an emerging plan.
The related distinction between “Thinking Of” vs. “Thinking About” can clarify which preposition best fits each mental process.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the time swap test: replace the phrase with “at that time” or “right now.” If “at that time” makes sense, choose “I was thinking.” If “right now” makes sense, choose “I am thinking.”
For example, “I was thinking about your advice” means the thought occurred earlier, while “I am thinking about your advice” means you are considering it now.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| I was thinking | Past continuous verb phrase | A thought was occurring or developing in the past | I was thinking about calling you yesterday. |
| I am thinking | Present continuous verb phrase | A thought or decision is occurring now | I am thinking about changing jobs. |
How to Use I Was Thinking
“I was thinking” refers to a mental process that was happening in the past. The specific time may be stated, as in “I was thinking about it earlier,” or understood from the surrounding conversation.
This phrase is especially common in informal speech and polite conversation. Speakers often use it to soften a suggestion or request. Instead of saying “Let’s go out tonight,” someone might say, “I was thinking we could go out tonight.” This wording sounds less forceful and gives the listener room to respond.
Example 1: I was thinking about your suggestion during my commute.
Example 2: I was thinking we could meet for lunch tomorrow.
Example 3: I was thinking about contacting the manager, but I decided to wait.
What Are the Different Forms of I Was Thinking?
The phrase is built from the irregular verb think. Its principal forms are think, thought, and thought. The expression “I was thinking” combines the past-tense form of be, “was,” with the present participle “thinking.”
- Present: I think about the problem.
- Present continuous: I am thinking about the problem.
- Past: I thought about the problem.
- Past continuous: I was thinking about the problem.
- Perfect: I have thought about the problem.
Etymology of the Word Thinking
Think comes from Old English thencan, meaning “to conceive in the mind” or “consider.” It is related to the idea of forming a mental image or judgment. The modern forms “thinking” and “thought” developed from this Germanic verb over many centuries.
How to Use I Am Thinking
“I am thinking” describes a thought, evaluation, or decision that is taking place now or during the present period. It can refer to an active mental process, such as considering an option, or to a tentative plan that has not yet been finalized.
The phrase is natural in both casual and professional communication. In formal writing, a more precise alternative may sometimes be preferable, such as “I am considering” or “I am evaluating.” However, “I am thinking” is completely grammatical and widely used.
Example 1: I am thinking about taking a language course this summer.
Example 2: I am thinking that we should review the budget again.
Example 3: I am thinking carefully before I make a final decision.
What Are the Different Forms of I Am Thinking?
“I am thinking” is the present continuous form of the irregular verb think. It consists of the present form of be, “am,” followed by the present participle “thinking.” The auxiliary verb changes with the subject.
- I am thinking about the proposal.
- You are thinking about the proposal.
- He, she, or it is thinking about the proposal.
- We are thinking about the proposal.
- They are thinking about the proposal.
Etymology of the Word Thinking
The word thinking is the present participle of think, an old Germanic word associated with forming ideas, remembering, judging, and considering. Its related past forms, thought and thought, reflect an irregular pattern retained from earlier English.
Related Concepts
Understanding verb tense and aspect makes the difference between these two phrases clear.
- Present continuous tense: This tense uses a form of be plus an -ing verb. It describes an activity or process happening now or around the present time, as in “I am thinking.”
- Past continuous tense: This tense uses was or were plus an -ing verb. It describes an activity that was in progress at a particular time in the past, as in “I was thinking.”
- Stative verbs: Verbs involving mental states, such as know, believe, and understand, do not always sound natural in continuous forms. However, think commonly works in both continuous and simple forms when it means “consider.”
- Polite suggestions: “I was thinking” can make a suggestion sound less direct. It often introduces an idea without presenting it as a firm command or decision.
Examples from Media and Literature
Writers and speakers use these expressions to show whether a character is reflecting on an earlier moment or considering something in the present.
- Novels: A narrator may write, “I was thinking about home as the train crossed the valley,” to describe a past reflection during a journey.
- Films: A character might say, “I was thinking we could leave before sunrise,” as a gentle way to propose a plan.
- News interviews: A public figure may say, “I am thinking about the long-term effects,” when explaining an issue currently under consideration.
- Workplace conversations: A colleague might say, “I am thinking we should postpone the launch,” to present a current professional recommendation.
- Personal essays: A writer may use “I was thinking about that conversation later” to connect a past event with a later realization.
I Was Thinking Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| I considered | I gave attention to an idea or possibility in the past. |
| I reflected on | I thought carefully about something that had happened or been said. |
| It occurred to me | An idea came into my mind at an earlier time. |
| I had been considering | I had been examining a possibility over a period of time. |
I Am Thinking Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| I am considering | I am currently examining an option or possibility. |
| I am contemplating | I am thinking deeply or carefully about something. |
| I am weighing | I am comparing advantages and disadvantages. |
| I am planning | I am developing an intended course of action. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “I was thinking” grammatically correct?
Yes. “I was thinking” is the past continuous form of think. It describes a past mental process and can also introduce a polite suggestion.
Question 2: Is “I am thinking” grammatically correct?
Yes. “I am thinking” is the present continuous form. Use it when the thought or consideration is happening now or relates to a current decision.
Question 3: Should I say “I was thinking” or “I am thinking” before a suggestion?
Both are possible. “I was thinking” often sounds softer and more tentative, while “I am thinking” emphasizes that the idea is currently on your mind.
Question 4: Is “I was thinking” more polite than “I am thinking”?
Often, yes. “I was thinking we could…” is a common softening phrase, but tone also depends on the speaker, context, and wording that follows.
Question 5: Can “thinking” be used with “am” and “was”?
Yes. “Am thinking” is present continuous, and “was thinking” is past continuous. The choice depends on whether the mental activity belongs to the present or the past.
Conclusion
“I was thinking” and “I am thinking” are both correct. Choose “I was thinking” for an earlier or completed period of reflection, especially when softening a suggestion. Choose “I am thinking” for a current thought, consideration, or developing plan. Pro Tip: Using the tense that precisely matches your meaning improves clarity and strengthens your professional reputation.
