Distinguishing Between Think Of & Think About

Think of vs Think About

Think of and Think about are two expressions that are often used interchangeably since there is not much of a difference between them. Both expressions, think of and think about, are created by adding prepositions of and about to the end of the verb think. To better understand these expressions, it is essential to first know some details about the word think. The word think can be used as a verb or a noun, and it originates from the Old English word thencan. There are also many phrases in the English language that use the word think, such as think again, think aloud, and think big.

What does Think Of mean?

Think of is used to express remembrance. In other words, you can say that think of is used when you call something to mind. For example:

• I think of my car when I watch the races.
• He thinks of his award whenever he sees another getting one.

In these sentences, the usage of the expression think of is made to express the sense of remembrance. Additionally, the expression think of lasts less time when considering the duration of thought. This means that the thought comes to mind and goes away in a short time.

What does Think About mean?

The expression think about, on the other hand, expresses the sense of ‘interest due to affection or any other feeling,’ as in the sentences:

• I think about my sister whenever I see her.
• He thinks about his home when he is away from it.

In these sentences, the usage of the expression think about suggests the idea of ‘interest due to affection or any other feeling.’ When considering the duration of the thought, it should be said that the expression though about suggests that the thought is a lengthy one. That means the thought that came to mind stays there for a while.

What is the difference between Think Of and Think About?

• Think of is used to express remembrance, while think about expresses the sense of ‘interest due to affection or any other feeling.’
• The expression think of is more momentary than think about in terms of duration of thought. In other words, the expression think about suggests that the thought is a lengthy one, whereas the expression think of suggests that the thought is a short one.

These are the primary differences between the two expressions, think of and think about.

Key Takeaways

• Think of is used to express remembrance, while think about expresses the sense of ‘interest due to affection or any other feeling.’
• Think of is more momentary and suggests shorter duration of thought, while think about implies a longer duration of thought.
• Both expressions can be used interchangeably, but understanding the subtle differences can help in using them more accurately.