In mind / on mind

Question

What is the difference between =&gt; to have something in/on your mind?Which one of these does "to think about something" mean? I mean if I asked someone: "What is in/on your mind?" and if I wanted to express this meaning =&gt; "What are you thinking about? What do you mean?". Which one would it be, then?Thanks a lot in advance.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

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GPY · Answer

"to have something on one's mind" means to be thinking a lot about something, especially because one is concerned or worried about it.

"to have something in mind" means to be planning or considering something; to have an idea ready for future deployment.

"to have something in one's mind" probably means to be thinking of or considering something. It is not so familiar to me as a set expression.

"What's on your mind?" is a standard way of asking what someone is thinking about, especially something that they are concerned about or thinking a lot about.

"What's in your mind?" is not a standard question. It would need a more specific context.

Marold · Answer

Ok, let's be more specific. Since I found myself in the situation when I was told by someone to drop my friend a line and I did not know why I should do that, I wanted to tell her: "I am not so sure what is on your mind." => it should mean "I am not so sure what you mean by that."

Would it be more or less fine to say it like that?

GPY · Answer

Neither seems obviously appropriate for that situation. Some possiblities:

"Why are you asking me to do that?"
"Why do you want me to do that?"
"Why do I need to do that?"
"Why should I do that?"

CalifJim · Answer

MaroldI found myself in the situation when I was told by someone to drop my friend a line

Here are the responses I might make.

Why?
Why should I do that?
Why do you think that?
Why do you think I should do that?
What kind of thing did you have in mind?
Saying what?
To say what?
What would I say?
For what purpose?

I don't think a sentence with "on your mind" would be among the top ten things I would use in a response to that situation, though I did include one with "in mind" above.

When I ask someone "What's on your mind?" I'm usually asking them what is causing them to worry. On the other hand, "What did you have in mind?", to me, is an offer to listen to a suggestion.

CJ

Edit: Oops. GPY's reply wasn't there when I began to write this post. It appears we are in agreement, however, about the sorts of replies that are most appropriate in this situation.

Marold · Answer

Thank you both. I am grateful for you suggestions.

In my mother tongue, if I were to translate these two following sentences literally, I would either use "What were you thinking about?" or "What did you have in mind?" as equivalents in meaning.

In fact, if "What kind of thing did you have in mind?" is fairly appropriate for this defined situation, you have answered my question since this was meant to be an offer to listen to a suggestion, explanation or whatever because I wanted to use something different than "Why should I do that?" and what first sprang to mind was this kind of phrase I was not sure of.

CalifJim · Answer

MaroldIn my mother tongue, if I were to translate these two following sentences literally, I would either use "What were you thinking about?" or "What did you have in mind?" as equivalents in meaning.

Those a little different in English. We have a lot of similar expressions with slightly different meanings — unfortunately for the learner.

What were you thinking about? (Here's one meaning: I see you staring into space, looking dreamy and distracted. I interrupt your reverie with this question because I'm wondering what you're "dreaming" about.)

CJ

Marold · Answer

Oh, things get confusing.

Thanks, anyway.

I will probably be better off using the most natural and normal questions in this case without trying to artificially substitute that for this phrase.

GPY · Answer

MaroldIn fact, if "What kind of thing did you have in mind?" is fairly appropriate for this defined situation,

To me, "What kind of thing did you have in mind?" suggests that you already know, in general terms, the reason why the other person is asking you to write, and you are asking whether the other person has any suggestion about the best way to handle the communication (e.g. how to express something tactfully). I don't think I would use it to ask for the basic reason.

CalifJim · Answer

GPYTo me, "What kind of thing did you have in mind?" suggests that you already know, in general terms, the reason why the other person is asking you to write

Hmm. Not to me. When I run through the dialog in my mind, I don't get the sense that the other person has to know anything about the reason for writing. It's curious how different people interpret the same words differently.

— Drop him a line.
— What kind of thing did you have in mind? (Something showing anger? disappointment? gratitude? sympathy? congratulations? inquiry about a job opening? inquiry about his health?)

CJ

In mind / on mind

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