difference between I was thinking and I have been thinking

Hi, eagerness,

I agree some people would use them interchangeably in the same situation.

To me, the expression "I was thinking" means the thought crossed your mind on perhaps only one occasion.

"I have been thinking" usually means you've spent quite a bit of time in considering a certain matter, perhaps on several different occasions.

Best wishes, - A.

"Have been thinking" suggests something that you've been thinking about recently, that you're still considering, that has a relevance to what's happening now or to what you're about to do or say, etc.

1. I've been thinking about selling my car. Do you think I should?

(I'm considering it ... my thoughts might result in my selling the car.)

Contrast with:

Most English speakers use those two phrases interchangeably. Do no`t worry too much about which one to use. Grammatically speaking, "I was thinking" means that at one point in the past an idea or a thought was in your mind for a period o time and then, it went away. On the other hand, "I`ve been thinking" means that an idea or a thought came to your mind some time in the past and it continues bein

Sometimes in a discussion, you really disagree with what others are saying. You want to make your point without being offensive, so you use "was thinking" to suggest that perhaps you no longer disagree. You are thus able to state your case without being argumentative.

You can carry this one step further, and use simple past. "I thought you said you'd have the money for me today." You

Hi,

The difference between "I have been thinking" and "I was thinking"

"I have been thinking" is an action that started in the past and continued for a certain period of time. However, the meaning of

"I was thinging" is the action started in the past and didnot continue for any period of time and ended shortly.

Hope this helps.

Were is the past tense and Have been is the present perfect tense
Those names imply the use: The present perfect tense is used when an action is either continuing "Your files have been copying for 45 seconds" or the action has recently completed "Your files have been copied"
"Your files were copied" simply means that the action took place in the past so "have been" sets the context of th

Hi Dear friends

I have a question :

what's the difference between ( I have been thinking ) and ( I had been thinking )

so friends ?

The use of the past perfect suggests that you have changed your mind, and are no longer thinking.
The change took place at some time in the past.

Good answer, thanks for your explanation!

Hello

Today my english teacher told me because "think" is a state verb the correct grammar is "I have thought", so "I have been thinking" is incorrect, are you agree?