ENGLISH
REFERENCE

imagining

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ˌɪˈmædʒənɪŋ// UK //ɪmˈædʒɪnɪŋ// imag·in·ing

v. forming a picture or idea in your mind of something that is not real or not present. You use this when you think about possibilities or dream about the future.

v. forming a mental image or concept of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality. Present participle of 'imagine'; functions as the head of a gerund-participle clause.


SIMPLE

I am imagining a world without any wars.

CONTEXTUAL

She spent the afternoon imagining what her life would be like if she moved to a different country.

COMPLEX

By imagining the potential consequences of each decision, the strategist was able to anticipate the competitor's moves before they were even executed.

Synonyms
Usage

Often followed by a gerund or a 'that' clause; as a participle, it can modify a noun or follow a linking verb.

Pitfall

I am imagining to go thereI am imagining going thereWhen followed by another action, this verb requires the gerund (-ing) form, not the infinitive.

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