choose the correct i'm thinking ____ going to gym

Quick Scoop: English Grammar Forum Trend — “Choose the correct I’m thinking ____ going to gym” If you’ve been scrolling through English learning or grammar forums lately, you might have seen this question making the rounds:
“Choose the correct option: I’m thinking ____ going to gym. ”
Let’s break it down clearly since it confuses many English learners (and even some fluent speakers!).
🧠 The Grammar Behind It
The correct answer is:
✅ “I’m thinking of going to the gym.” Here’s why:
-
“Think of + gerund (verb-ing)” is the standard grammatical structure used when someone considers doing something or is planning it in a loose way.
Example:- “I’m thinking of moving to a new city.”
- “She’s thinking of learning Japanese.”
-
“Think about + gerund” is also acceptable in casual English and means roughly the same thing, but often conveys slightly deeper reflection:
- “I’m thinking about going to the gym” → sounds natural too.
- “Think of” = more about plans.
- “Think about” = more about pondering or reflecting.
⚖️ Comparison Table
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Thinking of + verb-ing | Considering an action (often implies intention) | I'm thinking of joining the gym. |
| Thinking about + verb-ing | Reflecting on or discussing an action (slightly broader) | I'm thinking about joining the gym. |
| Thinking to + verb | ❌ Incorrect usage in modern English | ❌ I'm thinking to go to gym. |
🗣️ Why “to” Doesn’t Work Here
“Think to” only fits specific idioms like “thought to do something” (meaning remembered or managed to):
- “I hadn’t thought to bring my umbrella.”
But saying “I’m thinking to go to gym” sounds unnatural — that’s why we avoid it.
🌍 Trending Discussion
This little grammar question recently popped up across student forums in
India, Nigeria, and Southeast Asia, especially around IELTS and TOEFL prep
groups (2025–2026 season). Learners often confuse “of” and “about” due to
direct translations from local languages where verbs of thought use different
prepositions. ✅ Final Answer:
“I’m thinking of going to the gym. ”
Alternative (also correct): “I’m thinking about going to the gym. ”
TL;DR:
- “Thinking of/about + ing” → grammatically correct.
- “Thinking to + verb” → incorrect.
- Best natural sentence: I’m thinking of going to the gym.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.