Thinking in English: I Think vs. I'm Thinking, and More!

When you’re learning English, mastering common phrases and their subtle nuances is key to sounding more natural. One of the biggest challenges for learners is understanding the difference between simple present tense and present continuous tense, especially with verbs that describe thoughts and feelings. 

Native speakers don't just say "You are right" or "She doesn't like me"—they add a layer of personal perspective using phrases like "I think," "I guess," or "I feel." This simple addition makes your English sound much more authentic and fluid.

The Core Difference: State vs. Action 

The central distinction lies in two concepts: a state of being and an ongoing action.

• Simple Present Tense (I think, I feel, I guess): This form describes a general state, a belief, or a habitual action. It represents something that is generally true for you or a belief you hold over time. It's a statement of fact or a long-held opinion.

• Present Continuous Tense (I'm thinking, I'm feeling, I'm guessing): This form describes an action that is happening at this very moment. It's temporary, dynamic, and often suggests a process or a momentary consideration.

I think vs. I'm thinking 

The verb "think" is a perfect example of this state vs. action difference.

I think... This phrase is used for expressing a long-held opinion, a belief, or a general statement. It's not about what you're doing right now, but rather what you believe to be true. It’s like a fixed thought or a personal philosophy.

• I think the new movie was incredible. (This is my general opinion of the movie.)

• I think honesty is the most important quality in a person. (This is a core belief.)

• I think it’s a bad idea to drive so fast. (This is my opinion on the matter.)

I'm thinking... This phrase is used to describe a temporary, ongoing process of thinking or considering something at this moment. It implies a current deliberation or a thought in progress.

• I'm thinking about what to have for dinner tonight. (I'm currently in the process of deciding.)

• I'm thinking about taking a trip to Japan next year. (It's a current consideration, not a final decision.)

• "We should go to the gym." "I'm thinking about it." (I'm currently considering your suggestion.)

I guess vs. I'm guessing

Similar to "think," the verb "guess" also changes its meaning significantly with the present continuous tense. 

I guess... This is a softer way of stating an assumption or a general conclusion. It often implies a lack of certainty but presents a belief that is held over some period. It can also be used to reluctantly agree.

• I guess it's going to rain later. (Based on what I see, this is my general conclusion.)

• I guess you’re right. (I agree with you, but maybe without strong conviction.)

• I guess he didn’t see your message. (This is my general assumption about the situation.)

I'm guessing... This is used when you are actively forming a theory or a conclusion based on new, current information. It's a snapshot of your thought process in the moment. This phrase is often used when a sudden piece of information makes you rethink something.

• Suddenly, a loud thunderclap echoes. "I'm guessing it’s going to rain now." (A sudden, immediate deduction.)

• The lights in the building are off. I'm guessing they’ve all gone home for the day. (A conclusion based on a current observation.)

• He hasn't replied to my text. I'm guessing he's busy. (A momentary theory about a current situation.)

I feel vs. I'm feeling 

This is one of the most subtle yet important differences. 

I feel... This is used to express an ongoing, stable emotion or belief about a relationship or a situation over time. It's a persistent feeling, not a temporary one.

• I feel like she doesn't like me. (This is a feeling you’ve had for a while, perhaps because she rarely talks to you.)

• I feel that we should be more transparent with our clients. (This is a professional belief or principle.)

I'm feeling... This describes a temporary feeling or mood that you are experiencing right now. It is often a reaction to something happening in the present.

• I'm feeling a little down today. (A temporary mood.)

• "Why are you quiet?" "I'm feeling a bit strange today." (A current, fleeting sensation.)

• After a strange look from a friend, you might say, "I'm feeling like she doesn’t like me today." (A momentary suspicion, not a long-held belief.)

I love vs. I'm loving 

While "I love" is very common, "I'm loving" is a bit more nuanced and often seen in informal, spoken English.

I love... This is the standard way to express a deep, ongoing, or permanent affection or enjoyment. It’s a statement of a core preference.

• I love watching movies with you. (This is a general statement about my enjoyment.)

• I love how you always make me laugh. (A consistent, long-term feeling.)

I'm loving... This is used to express a strong, current enjoyment of something in the moment. It's highly informal and often emphasizes that you are enjoying a specific, ongoing experience right now. It’s a present-tense version of "this is so great right now." While grammatically correct, it is a less common usage in formal writing. (Source: BBC Learning English)

• I'm loving this new song! (I’m enjoying it right now as it’s playing.)

• I'm loving this pizza. (I am really enjoying the taste right now.)

• I'm loving talking with you about this. (I’m enjoying our current conversation.)

⚠️ Nuance Alert: Phrasal Verbs & Stative Verbs

The difference between simple and continuous tenses isn't always so clear-cut, especially with stative verbs like "think," "feel," and "love."

• Stative Verbs: These verbs describe a state of being, a thought, or an emotion (e.g., think, know, believe, understand, love, hate, feel, guess). By their nature, they don't describe an action. This is why "I know" is always correct and "I'm knowing" is almost always wrong.

• Action Verbs: These verbs describe a physical or mental action that is happening (e.g., run, walk, eat, learn). These are easily put into the continuous tense.

The expressions we've covered—"I'm thinking," "I'm feeling," "I'm loving," and "I'm guessing"—are special cases where a stative verb is used in the continuous tense to highlight a temporary, ongoing mental process rather than a permanent state. They're exceptions that prove the rule.

😄 Fun and Practical: Start Your Sentences Like a Native Speaker

These phrases are not just for a lesson—they are your secret weapon for sounding natural and adding a personal touch to your speech.

• "I'm thinking about you..." Next time a friend asks what you're up to, you can respond, "I'm thinking about where to go for lunch." This shows you're actively deliberating.

• "I guess you could say..." When a friend asks for an opinion you don’t feel strongly about, just add "I guess it’s okay." This shows you're offering a mild, agreeable opinion.

• "I'm feeling like a snack." After a long meeting, you can use "I'm feeling like a little break" to hint that you're ready for a change of pace.

Common Mistakes: A List of 10 Frequent Errors 

1. Incorrect Usage: "I'm thinking that's a good idea." Reason: The continuous form is for a temporary process. This is a general opinion. Correct Usage: "I think that's a good idea."

2. Incorrect Usage: "I'm guessing you are right." Reason: This phrase is for a momentary guess. "I guess" is the better choice for general, softened agreement. Correct Usage: "I guess you're right."

3. Incorrect Usage: "I'm loving my husband." Reason: "Love" describes a long-term, continuous state, not a temporary action. Correct Usage: "I love my husband."

4. Incorrect Usage: "I feel you are a good person." Reason: This is a permanent belief about someone's character, not a temporary feeling. Correct Usage: "I feel that you are a good person."

5. Incorrect Usage: "I am thinking about the movie was amazing." Reason: The verb "think" here refers to a general opinion of the movie. "I'm thinking" would be used if you were actively processing or considering something about the movie at this moment. Correct Usage: "I think the movie was amazing."

6. Incorrect Usage: "I'm guessing it will rain all the time." Reason: "I'm guessing" is for a momentary prediction. "I guess" is better for a general prediction over a period of time. Correct Usage: "I guess it's going to rain all the time."

7. Incorrect Usage: "I'm feeling you will like this." Reason: "Feeling" is a temporary state, not a prediction of someone else's future preference. Correct Usage: "I feel that you will like this."

8. Incorrect Usage: "I'm loving my new job." Reason: This can work in informal conversation but is often better expressed as a general state of enjoyment. Correct Usage: "I love my new job."

9. Incorrect Usage: "I'm thinking of my belief that honesty is good." Reason: "I think" is for stating a belief. "I'm thinking" is for actively considering something. Correct Usage: "I think honesty is good."

10. Incorrect Usage: "I'm guessing I'm smarter than you are." Reason: This is a general statement of belief, not a momentary guess. Correct Usage: "I guess I'm just smarter than you are."

Common Idioms/Phrasal Verbs Related to the Topic

• Think over: This means to consider something carefully before making a decision. It’s a common phrasal verb used for serious contemplation.

  • I need to think over your offer before I can give you an answer.

  • She's thinking over the pros and cons of moving to a new city.

• Guess what?: A very common informal phrase used to get someone's attention before sharing surprising or interesting news.

  • Guess what? I got the job!

  • Guess what? My favorite band is coming to town next month!

• Feel free: A polite and friendly way to tell someone they are welcome to do something.

  • If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

  • Feel free to make yourself at home.

Quiz Time!

1. Which phrase should you use to express a general, long-held opinion? a) I'm thinking b) I think c) I'm guessing

2. You are currently deciding what movie to watch tonight. What's the best phrase to describe your action? a) I guess b) I feel c) I'm thinking

3. Which phrase is used to make a momentary, on-the-spot deduction? a) I'm guessing b) I guess c) I feel

4. A friend says, "I can't believe he didn't call you back." You want to agree softly. What do you say? a) I'm guessing you're right. b) I guess you're right. c) I'm thinking you're right.

5. Which phrase would you use to express a long-term, stable emotional state? a) I'm feeling b) I feel c) I'm guessing

6. You are having a great time at a party right now. What would you say? a) I love this party. b) I'm loving this party. c) I feel this party.

7. Which phrase is best for expressing a temporary mood? a) I feel so happy b) I love so happy c) I'm feeling so happy

8. Your friend asks about your general belief about the environment. What should you say? a) I'm thinking about the environment. b) I think about the environment. c) I guess about the environment.

9. You just heard a loud noise and are now forming a theory about what it was. How do you start your sentence? a) I'm thinking... b) I'm guessing... c) I'm feeling...

10. Which phrase is more commonly used in informal, spoken English to describe a current enjoyment? a) I love b) I'm loving c) I guess

• Answers: 1) b, 2) c, 3) a, 4) b, 5) b, 6) b, 7) c, 8) b, 9) b, 10) b

FAQ: The "State" vs. "Action" Confusion 

1. Is "I'm thinking" always about a temporary action? Yes, generally. It describes the active process of thinking at a particular moment. For a long-term opinion, "I think" is the correct choice.

2. Can "I feel" be used for a momentary feeling? Yes, but "I'm feeling" is more common. For example, "I feel sad" is a general state, while "I'm feeling sad today" is a temporary state. "I'm feeling" is more specific to the present moment.

3. What's the difference between "I guess" and "I think"? "I think" expresses a more deliberate opinion or belief, while "I guess" often implies more uncertainty or reluctance. "I guess" is a softer, less assertive way of stating an opinion or a conclusion.

4. Why is "I'm loving" not used in writing? While it's grammatically correct, it's considered very informal and is almost exclusively used in spoken English or casual online communication. For formal writing, "I love" is always the correct choice.

5. How can I practice this? Start by consciously adding "I think," "I feel," or "I guess" to your opinions. When you find yourself in a situation where you're actively deliberating, try to use "I'm thinking," "I'm guessing," or "I'm feeling." The key is to practice using them in context.

6. Is it wrong to say "I'm guessing he's right"? It's not "wrong," but it has a different nuance. "I'm guessing he's right" implies you are actively working out a puzzle and have just concluded he is right. "I guess he's right" is a simple, passive agreement.

7. Can "I'm feeling" be used for physical sensations? Absolutely. "I'm feeling tired," "I'm feeling sick," and "I'm feeling cold" are all common and correct uses.

8. What about "I'm believing"? Is that correct? "Believe" is a strong stative verb. "I'm believing" is almost never used and sounds unnatural to native speakers. You should always use "I believe" to express a conviction.

9. Can these phrases be used in questions? Yes, but the meaning shifts. "Are you thinking about me?" asks about an ongoing process. "Do you think about me?" asks about a general habit.

10. Do all verbs have this distinction? No. As mentioned, stative verbs like know, believe, understand, and want rarely use the continuous tense. These are verbs that describe a state of being, not an action.

If You Learn Just One: Our Top Recommendation

If you only have time to master one concept from this post, focus on the difference between "I think" and "I'm thinking." 

This is the most versatile and common pair you will encounter in everyday English. "I think" allows you to express your opinions and beliefs with confidence and clarity, while "I'm thinking" gives you the power to describe your active thought process in the moment. 

Getting this right is a major step toward sounding more like a native speaker and will add incredible depth to your conversations.

A Final Thought: The Art of Nuance

Learning a language isn't just about knowing the words—it's about understanding the subtle feelings and intentions behind them. That little "-ing" on the end of a verb can completely change the tone and meaning of what you're saying, transforming a static fact into a vibrant, living moment. 

Don't be afraid to experiment with these phrases. Start with "I think" and "I'm thinking" to express yourself more dynamically. The more you use them, the more natural they will become. You've got this!

References & Sources

• Cambridge Dictionary

  • "I think vs. I'm thinking" on Cambridge English Grammar: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/think

  • "I feel vs. I'm feeling" on Cambridge English Grammar: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/feel

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary

  • Merriam-Webster homepage (for "guess," "feel," "love"): https://www.merriam-webster.com

• British Council

  • Stative Verbs and Continuous Tense: https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-to-upper-intermediate/stative-verbs

• Oxford English Dictionary

  • OED homepage (for general verb definitions): https://www.oed.com