Why is 'I was just thinking' preferred over 'I have just thought'?

Question

Both constructions seem capable of expressing 'I thought something very recently'. Why is the former preferred over the latter?

Because thinking is an action that takes time, and is thus suited to be used with a continuous present. "I was just thinking" means that you were in the continuous process of thinking about it. See: Difference between (was thinking / thought / have thought / had thought — MadWard, Jul 19 '16 at 11:44
"just thought" usually refers to a completed thought, for example "I just thought you were going to the store." — user3169, Jul 20 '16 at 1:11

2 revs · Accepted Answer · 2018-01-29 16:30:33Z

Because thinking is an action that takes time, and is thus suited to be used with a continuous present. "I was just thinking" means that you were in the continuous process of thinking about it. See: Difference between (was thinking / thought / have thought / had thought)

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