Which preposition should I use here: “thinking of” or “thinking about”?

Multi tool use
Thinking of getting an external
keyboard
Thinking about getting an external
keyboard
Which one is grammatically correct and why?
grammar word-usage prepositions
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Thinking of getting an external
keyboard
Thinking about getting an external
keyboard
Which one is grammatically correct and why?
grammar word-usage prepositions
add a comment |
Thinking of getting an external
keyboard
Thinking about getting an external
keyboard
Which one is grammatically correct and why?
grammar word-usage prepositions
Thinking of getting an external
keyboard
Thinking about getting an external
keyboard
Which one is grammatically correct and why?
grammar word-usage prepositions
grammar word-usage prepositions
edited Apr 16 '15 at 21:37


Mari-Lou A
62.3k55222462
62.3k55222462
asked May 16 '11 at 19:39
Anderson SilvaAnderson Silva
5,59265109132
5,59265109132
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3 Answers
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Both are equally acceptable. In some contexts, thinking of might be considered slightly more poetic than thinking about; when sending a note to my sweetie, I'd probably write "Thinking of you!" instead of "Thinking about you!" Off the top of my head, though, I can't think of any cases in which one would be correct and the other flat-out incorrect.
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'Thinking of' usually means 'considering'. 'I'm thinking of a new car' would mean considering replacing your current model, whereas 'thinking about a new car' is what you do when watching the adverts, without necessarily planning to buy one. (So 'thinking about getting a new keyboard' would involve "Well, typing would be faster, but it's another cable to tangle, and it costs a bit, and..."). But it's only a connotation, not a meaning, and don't try to apply it to your sweetheart!
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I think about my life and i am thinking of my life.
The second one can not be in simple present form . So i think the first one means you think about all moments of your life but the second one carrues a contemoray thought
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3 Answers
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3 Answers
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Both are equally acceptable. In some contexts, thinking of might be considered slightly more poetic than thinking about; when sending a note to my sweetie, I'd probably write "Thinking of you!" instead of "Thinking about you!" Off the top of my head, though, I can't think of any cases in which one would be correct and the other flat-out incorrect.
add a comment |
Both are equally acceptable. In some contexts, thinking of might be considered slightly more poetic than thinking about; when sending a note to my sweetie, I'd probably write "Thinking of you!" instead of "Thinking about you!" Off the top of my head, though, I can't think of any cases in which one would be correct and the other flat-out incorrect.
add a comment |
Both are equally acceptable. In some contexts, thinking of might be considered slightly more poetic than thinking about; when sending a note to my sweetie, I'd probably write "Thinking of you!" instead of "Thinking about you!" Off the top of my head, though, I can't think of any cases in which one would be correct and the other flat-out incorrect.
Both are equally acceptable. In some contexts, thinking of might be considered slightly more poetic than thinking about; when sending a note to my sweetie, I'd probably write "Thinking of you!" instead of "Thinking about you!" Off the top of my head, though, I can't think of any cases in which one would be correct and the other flat-out incorrect.
answered May 16 '11 at 20:01
phenryphenry
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16.5k25176
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'Thinking of' usually means 'considering'. 'I'm thinking of a new car' would mean considering replacing your current model, whereas 'thinking about a new car' is what you do when watching the adverts, without necessarily planning to buy one. (So 'thinking about getting a new keyboard' would involve "Well, typing would be faster, but it's another cable to tangle, and it costs a bit, and..."). But it's only a connotation, not a meaning, and don't try to apply it to your sweetheart!
add a comment |
'Thinking of' usually means 'considering'. 'I'm thinking of a new car' would mean considering replacing your current model, whereas 'thinking about a new car' is what you do when watching the adverts, without necessarily planning to buy one. (So 'thinking about getting a new keyboard' would involve "Well, typing would be faster, but it's another cable to tangle, and it costs a bit, and..."). But it's only a connotation, not a meaning, and don't try to apply it to your sweetheart!
add a comment |
'Thinking of' usually means 'considering'. 'I'm thinking of a new car' would mean considering replacing your current model, whereas 'thinking about a new car' is what you do when watching the adverts, without necessarily planning to buy one. (So 'thinking about getting a new keyboard' would involve "Well, typing would be faster, but it's another cable to tangle, and it costs a bit, and..."). But it's only a connotation, not a meaning, and don't try to apply it to your sweetheart!
'Thinking of' usually means 'considering'. 'I'm thinking of a new car' would mean considering replacing your current model, whereas 'thinking about a new car' is what you do when watching the adverts, without necessarily planning to buy one. (So 'thinking about getting a new keyboard' would involve "Well, typing would be faster, but it's another cable to tangle, and it costs a bit, and..."). But it's only a connotation, not a meaning, and don't try to apply it to your sweetheart!
edited May 30 '11 at 23:25
answered May 16 '11 at 20:23


TimLymingtonTimLymington
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32.6k875143
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I think about my life and i am thinking of my life.
The second one can not be in simple present form . So i think the first one means you think about all moments of your life but the second one carrues a contemoray thought
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add a comment |
I think about my life and i am thinking of my life.
The second one can not be in simple present form . So i think the first one means you think about all moments of your life but the second one carrues a contemoray thought
New contributor
Qadir is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
I think about my life and i am thinking of my life.
The second one can not be in simple present form . So i think the first one means you think about all moments of your life but the second one carrues a contemoray thought
New contributor
Qadir is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I think about my life and i am thinking of my life.
The second one can not be in simple present form . So i think the first one means you think about all moments of your life but the second one carrues a contemoray thought
New contributor
Qadir is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
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answered 6 mins ago
QadirQadir
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