thoughtfulness
thoughtfulness — adjective
- thoughtfulnesspositive
- more thoughtfulnesscomparative
- most thoughtfulnesssuperlative
1. paying attention to what other people need or want, and doing kind things to hel
paying attention to what other people need or want, and doing kind things to help them or make them comfortable.
It was thoughtful of Nkechi to bring soup when she heard I was sick in bed.
pattern: it + be + thoughtful + of + person + to-infinitive
Femi left a thoughtful note on his roommate's desk to wish him luck on the exam.
The elderly woman smiled at the thoughtful gesture of holding the door open for her.
Iker thanked his colleagues for the thoughtful messages they sent during his long recovery.
The wedding gift was a thoughtful choice because it matched exactly what the couple needed.
- considerate
very similar; slightly more formal
- caring
broader; describes a general attitude rather than a specific action
- attentive
suggests noticing small needs, often used in service contexts
- inconsiderate
not thinking about others' needs at all
- selfish
focused on one's own needs, ignoring others
文法句型
be + thoughtful + of + noun
it + be + thoughtful + of + person + to-infinitive
用法筆記
This is the most common sense in everyday conversation. Often used to thank someone: 'That's very thoughtful of you.' Distinguish from sense 3 (LOST IN THOUGHT), which describes someone absorbed in their own thinking, not being kind to others.
常見錯誤
2. showing that a lot of careful thinking has gone into something, so that it is we
showing that a lot of careful thinking has gone into something, so that it is well-reasoned and well-prepared.
The teacher praised Yara for her thoughtful answer to the difficult science question.
collocation: thoughtful answer
João presented a thoughtful analysis of the company's financial problems at the meeting.
After a thoughtful discussion, the committee decided to fund the community garden project.
Mayumi wrote a thoughtful essay comparing two very different styles of Japanese pottery.
The report offered a thoughtful review of each option, listing both the costs and the benefits.
- considered
more formal; emphasises that many factors were weighed
- reasoned
focuses on logical argument rather than thoroughness
- thoughtless
done without care or consideration
- hasty
done too quickly, without proper thought
文法句型
thoughtful + noun
very/extremely thoughtful
用法筆記
Frequently modifies nouns that describe intellectual work: answer, analysis, discussion, essay, review, argument, proposal. Rarely used to describe spontaneous or emotional reactions.
常見錯誤
3. quietly thinking so deeply about something that you do not notice what is happen
quietly thinking so deeply about something that you do not notice what is happening around you.
Eitan stared out the window with a thoughtful expression, watching the rain run down the glass.
collocation: thoughtful expression
Nila stayed thoughtful during the long bus ride and barely touched the book in her lap.
be + thoughtful for describing a quiet state
The librarian noticed the thoughtful young man staring at the same page for almost an hour.
Feng gave a thoughtful pause before answering, and the teacher waited without rushing him.
- pensive
more literary; suggests sadness or reflection
- contemplative
more formal; implies calm, prolonged thought
文法句型
thoughtful + noun
be + thoughtful
thoughtfulness — noun
1. the habit or act of thinking carefully and seriously about something before maki
the habit or act of thinking carefully and seriously about something before making a decision or forming an opinion.
After several days of quiet thoughtfulness, Eitan decided to accept the teaching job in Hanoi.
collocation: quiet thoughtfulness
The project plan showed great thoughtfulness because it addressed every possible problem in advance.
Tyler reviewed the contract with unusual thoughtfulness, checking each clause twice before signing.
Feng's thoughtfulness about the budget impressed the whole committee during the quarterly review.
- deliberation
more formal; often refers to formal discussion as well as individual thought
- reflection
emphasises quiet, personal thinking rather than analytical reasoning
- thoughtlessness
acting without thinking
文法句型
show + thoughtfulness
with + thoughtfulness
用法筆記
Frequently appears with prepositions like 'about' or 'into'. Unlike 'consideration', which can refer to a single act of thinking, 'thoughtfulness' emphasises a steady quality or habit. Less common than the adjective 'thoughtful'.
2. how someone shows that they notice and care about what other people need or feel
how someone shows that they notice and care about what other people need or feel, often through small, helpful actions.
Nila's thoughtfulness was clear from the way she remembered every colleague's birthday with a small card.
collocation: thoughtfulness + possessive
The elderly neighbours thanked the young couple for their thoughtfulness during the power outage last winter.
True thoughtfulness means noticing when someone needs help before they have to ask for it.
Yara's thoughtfulness touched her friend deeply during the difficult weeks after the funeral.
- consideration
very similar; 'thoughtfulness' emphasises noticing personal details more strongly
- kindness
broader; can refer to any good deed, not necessarily one that shows close attention
- inconsiderateness
lack of concern for others' needs
- selfishness
focus on oneself at others' expense
文法句型
show + thoughtfulness
thoughtfulness + towards/toward
用法筆記
This is the most common sense of the noun 'thoughtfulness' in everyday language. It overlaps with 'consideration' but 'thoughtfulness' more strongly implies noticing small, personal details. Compare with noun sense 1 (CAREFUL THINKING), which is about intellectual process rather than kindness.
常見錯誤
3. the care and attention that goes into planning or making something so that every
the care and attention that goes into planning or making something so that every detail works well and feels right.
The thoughtfulness of the wedding arrangements made every single guest feel welcome and comfortable.
pattern: the + thoughtfulness + of
Mayumi's thoughtfulness in preparing the lesson materials saved all the new teachers hours of extra work.
The gift had been chosen with such thoughtfulness that it showed how well she knew her mother.
I could see the thoughtfulness behind every detail of the exhibition, from the lighting to the labels.
- care
simpler and more general; lacks the nuance of attentive planning
- attention to detail
more specific; emphasises thoroughness over warmth
- carelessness
lack of attention or effort
文法句型
the + thoughtfulness + of + noun
with + great + thoughtfulness
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 2 (KINDNESS TO OTHERS): this sense focuses on the quality of the preparation or planning, not on kindness toward people. A thoughtfully planned event may also be kind, but the emphasis here is on careful design and execution.