Expressing what you were planning to do but maybe didn't is a common need in everyday English conversation. The structure was/were thinking of + -ing verb gives you a natural, fluent way to talk about past intentions and plans, whether you followed through or changed your mind.
How do you use "thinking of" to talk about past plans?
The core structure is simple: subject + was/were thinking of + verb-ing. This communicates that someone had an intention or a plan at a specific moment in the past. [0:26]
Here are some clear examples from practice:
- "He was thinking of making hamburgers for the party." — He had that plan; making hamburgers was his intention.
- "I was thinking of fishing yesterday, but something told me not to." — The plan existed, but it didn't happen.
- "They were thinking of taking the bus to dinner, but then they had a better plan." — They considered it and then chose something different.
An important detail: the plan doesn't have to be abandoned. You can say "They were thinking of taking the bus" and they actually did it [1:33]. The structure works for both completed and cancelled intentions.
What is the difference between "was thinking of" and "thought about"?
Both phrases can express a past intention with very similar meaning. For instance, "I was thinking of seeing a movie, but I was too tired" and "I thought about seeing a movie, but I was too tired" communicate essentially the same idea [2:20]. However, the target structure — was/were thinking of + -ing — sounds more conversational and emphasizes the ongoing nature of the deliberation at that moment in the past.
How do you choose the correct tense in context?
Pay close attention to whether the question refers to the past or the present:
- "They were thinking of having a party, but decided not to." — Past intention, correct when someone asks what happened before. [3:00]
- "They are thinking of having a party, but are not sure." — Present intention, not appropriate when discussing past events.
The verb to be in its past form (was/were) is what anchors the entire phrase in the past.
Can you recognize past intentions in real questions?
Consider this question: "What is she going to do with the money?" Among several options, the one that reflects a past plan is: "She was thinking of buying a new house" [3:30]. Even though the question uses the future, the response places her intention in the past — she had that plan before, and it may or may not still apply.
How can you practice this structure on your own?
Building your own sentences is the best way to internalize this pattern. Think about real situations:
- A trip you considered but cancelled.
- A meal you planned to cook but didn't.
- A gift you almost bought for someone.
Use the formula: I was thinking of + verb-ing and add what happened next. For example: "I was thinking of traveling to the coast, but the weather changed my mind."
Share your own examples of past intentions and plans — practicing with real experiences makes the structure stick and helps you sound more natural in conversation.
