ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: difference between I was thinking and I have been thinking

Avangi — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:56:01 GMT

Sometimes in a discussion, you really disagree with what others are saying. You want to make your point without being offensive, so you use "was thinking" to suggest that perhaps you no longer disagree. You are thus able to state your case without being argumentative.

You can carry this one step further, and use simple past. "I thought you said you'd have the money for me today." You really mean "I think (know) you said you'd have the money for me today."

- A.

Re: difference between I was thinking and I have been thinking

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:23:11 GMT

Most English speakers use those two phrases interchangeably. Do no`t worry too much about which one to use. Grammatically speaking, "I was thinking" means that at one point in the past an idea or a thought was in your mind for a period o time and then, it went away. On the other hand, "I`ve been thinking" means that an idea or a thought came to your mind some time in the past and it continues being in your mind in the present.

Re: difference between I was thinking and I have been thinking

Mr Wordy — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:06:53 GMT

"Have been thinking" suggests something that you've been thinking about recently, that you're still considering, that has a relevance to what's happening now or to what you're about to do or say, etc.

1. I've been thinking about selling my car. Do you think I should?

(I'm considering it ... my thoughts might result in my selling the car.)

Contrast with:

2. I was thinking about selling my car, but in the end I didn't.

(I'm not thinking about this any more ... it's not affecting the present situation.)

In practice, though, "was" is also used in sentences of the first type:

3. I was thinking about selling my car. Do you think I should?

There isn't a big difference between (1) and (3), but, on balance, (1) more strongly suggests that you've been thinking about it recently, and the thought is still fresh in your mind. (3) might suggest, say, that you thought about it last month.

Although, as illustrated, things that are still relevant may use either "was" or "have been", things that are now settled require "was". So, "I've been thinking about selling my car." would not be appropriate in (2).

Re: difference between I was thinking and I have been thinking

Avangi — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:38:13 GMT

Hi, eagerness,

I agree some people would use them interchangeably in the same situation.

To me, the expression "I was thinking" means the thought crossed your mind on perhaps only one occasion.

"I have been thinking" usually means you've spent quite a bit of time in considering a certain matter, perhaps on several different occasions.

Best wishes, - A.

difference between I was thinking and I have been thinking

eagerness — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:20:58 GMT

Why do some people say "I was thinking and some, on the other hand, say I have been thinking. Since an English is not my native laungage, I am still little confused as to which of those two is correct and when each one of them is used.

Any help in clarifying this confusion is greatly appreciated.