If something is on your mind, you keep thinking or worrying about it and cannot let it go. Have something on your mind means a thought or problem is occupying you: I've got a lot on my mind this week. The question What's on your mind? means “What are you thinking about?” or “What's worrying you?”. The phrase is neutral, so you can use it with friends and in IELTS Speaking.
When would you say on my mind?
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have something/a lot on your mind; something + be + on your mind; What's on your mind?
- You've been quiet all evening. Is something on your mind?
- I've had a lot on my mind since my manager announced the restructuring.
- The visa interview has been on her mind all week, so she can't relax.
What changed
First versionThe job interview has been in my mind all week, and I can't sleep properly.
RevisionThe job interview has been on my mind all week, and I can't sleep properly.
It is tempting to use in here, as if the worry were inside your head. But in my mind means “in my imagination” or “in my view”: In my mind, the trip was perfect. For a worry that will not leave you alone, English uses on my mind, so in was changed to on.
Do not confuse it with have something in mind, which means “to have a particular idea or plan”: Do you have a particular hotel in mind? Nothing is worrying the person here; they simply have an option in mind. Is something on your mind? is what you ask when someone seems troubled.
Your turn
Sorry I forgot to reply. I've had a lot ___ lately with the move and my new job.
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on my mind — The speaker is apologising: the move and the new job are taking up all their thoughts, so they forgot to reply. That is a lot on my mind. In my mind means “in my imagination”, and it is not used for worries.
A friend notices that you keep forgetting things lately. Reply using on my mind: say what is worrying you and since when.
Sorry, my driving test has been on my mind since last Monday, so I keep forgetting things.
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