Thread: think about /of

what is the difference?

and could u give some examples where they can be interchanged and where its impossible?

Think about means pretty much to consider something. думать о чем-либо. Тo picture something in your mind and consider it....

He doesn't think about the consequences.
I was thinking about that girl I saw.

To think of means to come up with something like an idea etc. выдумывать I think.

I can't think of a way out. - I can't come up with a way out.


There are other situations too, I don't know.

"You can't think of any", for example, would imply that you were considering something but were finding no solutions.

"You can't think about any" sounds as if you are unable to even consider the problem.

to think about - generally - вообще
to think of - specifically - конкретно

Let me think about it - дай мне подумать об этом
Let me think of a problem to give you - дай мне время выдумать задачу для тебя

You can sometimes use them interchangably
I think about you often
I think of you often

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

to think about - generally - вообще
to think of - specifically - конкретно

Let me think about it - дай мне подумать об этом
Let me think of a problem to give you - дай мне время выдумать задачу для тебя

You can sometimes use them interchangably
I think about you often
I think of you often

I think you are right. Let me think about it.

ALso sometimes they have the same identical meaning. It is just preference.

I'm thinking of that girl.
I'm thinking about that girl.

Both mean the same thing here!!!!!!!!

Oh wait.....I just read Klinky ol boy's post ..........never mind.

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

to think about - generally - вообще
to think of - specifically - конкретно

Let me think about it - дай мне подумать об этом
Let me think of a problem to give you - дай мне время придумать задачу для тебя

You can sometimes use them interchangably
I think about you often
I think of you often

isn't it like, that "think of" is a sudden thought that came to your mind, and "think about" is a longer process?

Originally Posted by kamka

isn't it like, that "think of" is a sudden thought that came to your mind, and "think about" is a longer process?

In short, no.

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darn.

In one letter-longer answer: Yes

If something suddenly comes to mind, you would say:

I thought of something! (I came up with something)

But, it can also be a long process

Yesterday, I spent the whole day at home contemplating, and I believe I have thought of a solution!

Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie

In one letter-longer answer: Yes

If something suddenly comes to mind, you would say:

I thought of something! (I came up with something)

But, it can also be a long process

Yesterday, I spent the whole day at home contemplating, and I believe I have thought of a solution!

But that is just a certain context.

I thought of him everyday
I though about him everyday

They mean the same thing.

Also,

I thought of something = I thought something up, I have created an idea etc.

"I thought about something" means you are just thinking about something.

So rather than a difference in duration, it carries a different meaning,

It's sort of like,

I thought about something = I looked at a painting
I though of something = I painted a picture

But "I thought of something" can just mean the same as "about":

As in: "Why did you just laugh?"
- "I thought of something funny, remember the time you fell over at school."

Originally Posted by TATY

As in: "Why did you just laugh?"
- "I thought of something funny, remember the time you fell over at school."

Why did you just laugh?
I was thinking about something funny.

Why did you just laugh?
I thought about something funny that had happened last week.

I think that for short events, like when something pops into your head, it is better to use "thought of."

Suddenly, I thought of the time I fell over - Good
Suddenly, I thought about the time I fell over - Bad

Think of a number - Good
Think about a number - Bad

"Thought of" kind of means to start thinking, по-моему. Of course, this is just one case.[/img]

I think you'all just splitting hairs at this point.

Originally Posted by basurero

I think that for short events, like when something pops into your head, it is better to use "thought of."

Suddenly, I thought of the time I fell over - Good
Suddenly, I thought about the time I fell over - Bad

Think of a number - Good
Think about a number - Bad

Excellent examples. I agree wholeheartedly.

Originally Posted by basurero

I think that for short events, like when something pops into your head, it is better to use "thought of."

Suddenly, I thought of the time I fell over - Good
Suddenly, I thought about the time I fell over - Bad

Think of a number - Good
Think about a number - Bad

"Thought of" kind of means to start thinking, по-моему. Of course, this is just one case.[/img]

What about "I thought about the number for hours"? Is it ok, or should it be "thought of"?

"Thought about", 'cos you've qualified it with "for hours".

When you are thinking of/about a person the two words are completly interchangable. There is a difference when you're thinking of/about a thing or idea. 'Think about' is more of a conscious effort ie; "I will have to think about your problem (to render a solution)" where as 'think of' is more spontaneous ie; "I just thought of a solution to your problem" or in the present tense; "Come to think of it (I won't be free on saturday [etc])".

Originally Posted by basurero

Suddenly, I thought of the time I fell over - Good
Suddenly, I thought about the time I fell over - Bad

I think you can say
I suddenly thought about the time I fell over.