# think about sb/sth

CEFR A1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/think-about-sb-sth
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

To have someone or something in your mind. You can also use it when you are considering an idea or a possible decision.

For teachers: To direct one's mind towards someone or something; to engage in sustained mental consideration of a topic, person, or potential action.

## Examples

- I often think about my family.
- She is thinking about moving to a new city for a better job.
- He spent years thinking about the philosophical implications of his discovery, unable to reconcile its beauty with its potential for destruction.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I am thinking to move." but "I am thinking about moving." — After 'think about', use a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive (to + verb).

## Usage notes

- Often followed by a noun, pronoun, or a gerund (-ing form) to specify the subject of thought.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'think of', which often implies a more fleeting or sudden thought, whereas 'think about' suggests more sustained consideration.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.