think

I UK [θɪŋk] / US verb
Word forms "think":
present tense I/you/we/they think he/she/it thinks present participle thinking past tense thought UK [θɔːt] / US [θɔt] past participle thought
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Get it right: think:

The verb think is rarely used with an infinitive. Don't say "think to do something". When think means "to consider facts in order to understand something or make a decision", it is often used in the -ing form and in the following structures: ▪  think of doing something
▪  think about doing something
Wrong: Britain changed its policy and many countries are thinking to do the same.
Right: Britain changed its policy and many countries are thinking of doing the same.
Right: Britain changed its policy and many countries are thinking about doing the same.
Wrong: Researchers should think to use methods that don't require animal testing.
Right: Researchers should think of using methods that don't require animal testing.
Right: Researchers should think about using methods that don't require animal testing. When think means "to believe", the usual structure is a that-clause:
Wrong: A lot of people think to have more sex appeal if they drive a powerful speedy car.
Right: A lot of people think (that) they have more sex appeal if they drive a powerful speedy car. However, the infinitive can be used in this meaning, but only in the passive structure be thought to do something: Many secret organizations are thought to be at work in the country.

1)

a) [transitive] to believe something based on facts or ideas

think (that):

What do you think he wants?

think (that):

I don't think there's a bank in the village.

be thought to do something:

Faulty wiring is thought to have caused the fire.

b) used for saying that you are not completely certain about something

I think so:

"Is James coming tonight?" "I think so, but I'm not sure."

think (that):

I think he's arriving tomorrow.

2) [intransitive/transitive] to have a particular opinion about someone or something

think of someone/something as something:

Nobody seriously thought of him as a candidate for the job.

think someone something:

I thought him a very nice young man.

3) [intransitive] to carefully consider facts in order to understand something, make a decision, or solve a problem

Come on, think! There must be a solution.

Let's stop and think before we do anything else.

think about:

I need to think seriously about their offer.

think of:

I've got to think of a way to earn more money.

4)

a) [intransitive] to remember someone or something

think of:

She thought of him often.

He could never think of the woman's name.

think about:

I often think about the time we spent in Rome.

think to do something:

Did you think to ask about the delivery time?

b) to consider someone and their needs or situation

think of:

It was kind of you to think of our daughter.

think of yourself:

It's clear he was thinking only of himself.

5) [intransitive/transitive] to have something in your mind

I wasn't worried – I just thought, "Why is she doing that?"

I expect we were all thinking the same thing.

Were you thinking in terms of the entire test?

a) to imagine something

think of/about:

Just think of what she's suffered!

think that:

I never thought that I'd end up working here.

b) spoken used for telling or helping someone to remember someone or something

Here's a clue: Think Liverpool.

•

be thinking of/about doing something — to have already considered something but not yet made a decision about it

Sam's thinking of buying our car.

don't even think about/of doing something — spoken used for telling someone that they must not do something

Don't even think about lying to me!

do you think...? — used for asking someone politely to do something; used for asking someone's opinion

Do you think you could pass me my bag?

Do you think we'll get this finished on time?

I thought (that) — spoken used as a polite way of suggesting something

I thought we'd have a drink before dinner.

I wasn't thinking/I didn't think — spoken used for saying that you are sorry that you have upset someone

I shouldn't have mentioned it. I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking.

I wouldn't think of doing something/I would never think of doing something — used for saying that you would not consider doing something, for any reason or in any situation

She would never think of going against her father's wishes.

not think for a minute/moment (that) — used for saying that someone should not believe something

Don't think for a minute that I'm jealous.

that's what you/they etc think — spoken used for saying that someone is wrong about something

"You're going to lose!" "That's what you think!"

think the best/worst of someone — to decide that someone has good/bad qualities before you know them or understand their situation

Dan was a kind man, and always thought the best of people.

Must you always think the worst of her?

think highly/a lot of someone — to admire and respect someone a lot

Everyone there seems to think very highly of her.

think twice/again — to carefully consider whether what you are planning to do is a good idea; not think twice to do something immediately, without considering whether it is a good idea

I'd think twice before buying that car if I were you.

A visible alarm makes burglars think twice.

I didn't think twice – I accepted the job straight away.

what/where/when do you think? — spoken used for asking for someone's opinion

What do you think about the new manager?

When do you think they'll arrive?

what/who/where does someone think — spoken used in questions when you are upset or angry about something

Just who do you think you are?

What do you think you're doing!

what was someone thinking of? — spoken used for saying that you think someone has done something stupid

Why did you say that? What on earth were you thinking of?

who would have thought...? — spoken used for showing that you are surprised about something

Who would have thought that John would get married?

you would think/I'd have thought — spoken used when talking about something that you think should happen but has not happened

You'd think he'd visit his parents once in a while.

- can't think straight

- I can't hear myself think

- if someone thinks something, they have another think coming

- I thought as much

- not be thinking straight

- not think much of

- they think it's all over

- think badly of someone

- think better of something

- think for yourself

- think nothing of doing something

- think on your feet

- think out loud

- think outside the box

- think the world of someone

Phrasal verbs:

- think ahead

- think back

- think out

- think over

- think through

- think up

See:

come I, nothing

II UK [θɪŋk] / US noun

- have a think