think of/ think about

[lenorj]

Which are the differences between "think of "and "think about"? In which case can I use "think of" or "think about"?

[MrPedantic]

Hello Lenorj

If you "think of" X, it means that X is in your mind, e.g.

1. I'm thinking of you at this very minute.
= You are in my thoughts.

2. I've just thought of something.
= something has just come into my mind.

If you "think about" X, it can mean the same as "think of"; but it can also mean "to revolve something in your mind", e.g.

3. I'm thinking about what you said last night.
= I am thoroughly considering what you said.

MrP

[lenorj]

thanks a lot

[forum_mail]

Hmm... Mr.Pedantic, tell me please...

is "I'm thinking of what you said last night" different form "I'm thinking about..." ?

to me these two mean the same... :(

[forum_mail]

Hmm... Mr.Pedantic, tell me please...
is "I'm thinking of what you said last night" different form "I'm thinking about..." ?
to me these two mean the same... :(

[MrPedantic]

Hello Forum_mail

Yes, "think of" and "think about" often mean very much the same thing. But "think about" can also be used to express a more "thorough" form of thinking, e.g.

1. I've been thinking about Plato's Symposium for twenty years, and I still don't understand it.

MrP

[forum_mail]

oops, I'm sorry but I've spoiled my previous question. What I wanted to ask was :
is there any difference between these particular examples :

"I'm thinking of what you said last night"

"I'm thinking about what you said last night"

thanks again and sorry about my previous post

ps. should I say "I've spoiled my previous question" or simply "I spoiled..." ?

[MrPedantic]

Hello f_m

Perhaps "thinking about" has a more "considered" air, in your examples; perhaps "thinking of" suggests that the thought has only just occurred to you.

But in practice, with that example, I don't think many native speakers would register a significant difference between those two sentences.

MrP

PS: Probably the past tense ("I spoiled") would be better in your post, as another event (my answer) has intervened. (But "I've spoiled" wouldn't be wrong; it simply gives an impression that your focus is still on your question, rather than subsequent events.)

[englishstudent]

How about this example?

A: We have tried to solve this problem but could not come up with a solution.
Can you suggest something?
B: Well, I can't suggest anything off-hand. I will THINK ABOUT IT and
if I THINK OF SOMETHING (solution) I will let you know.

Does it help or just confuse it more?

[MrPedantic]

That's a good example: "think about" seems to focus on the process, and "think of" on the event as a whole.

MrP