He sat thinking for some time vs He sat thinking

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'He sat thinking for some time' implies that he spent a considerable amount of time thinking, while 'he sat thinking' simply states that he was engaged in thinking without specifying the duration. The choice between the two depends on whether you want to emphasize the duration of the thinking process.

Last updated: March 12, 2024 • 1126 views

He sat thinking for some time

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that someone spent a considerable amount of time engaged in thinking.

This phrase is used to emphasize the duration of the thinking process. It implies that the person spent a significant period engaged in thought.

Examples:

He sat thinking for some time before coming to a decision.
She sat thinking for some time about what to say next.

Alternatives:

He sat thinking deeply for a while.
He sat pondering for some time.
He sat lost in thought for a while.

He sat thinking

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that someone was engaged in thinking.

This phrase simply states that the person was thinking without specifying the duration. It is a more general statement about the person's mental activity.

Examples:

He sat thinking about the problem.
She sat thinking about her future.

Show examples from the web [+]

Nov 7, 2012 ... ... in the razor-sharp contest, he sat thinking. His eyes were closed, his chin resting on his clasped hands and his legs stretched out before him.
Nov 7, 2012 ... ... two more battleground states on Tuesday, betting that one last visit might push him over the edge in the razor-sharp contest, he sat thinking.
Next day, he sat thinking of what he had undergone ; " all at once I thought I felt well- known sensations, a cramping of the breast, and a tingling of the soles of ...
His eyes sparkled merrily and he smiled as he sat thinking. 'Yes, it was very nice. There were many other delightful things which I can't just get hold of — can't ...

Alternatives:

He was lost in thought.
He pondered quietly.
He contemplated.

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He sat thinking for some time vs He sat thinking