- 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 ideasthink (that):think (that):What do you think he wants?
be thought to do something:I don't think there's a bank in the village.
Faulty wiring is thought to have caused the fire.
b) used for saying that you are not completely certain about somethingI think so:think (that):"Is James coming tonight?" "I think so, but I'm not sure."
I think he's arriving tomorrow.
2) [intransitive/transitive] to have a particular opinion about someone or somethingthink of someone/something as something:think someone something:Nobody seriously thought of him as a candidate for the job.
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 problemCome on, think! There must be a solution.
think about:Let's stop and think before we do anything else.
think of:I need to think seriously about their offer.
I've got to think of a way to earn more money.
4)a) [intransitive] to remember someone or somethingthink of:She thought of him often.
think about:He could never think of the woman's name.
think to do something:I often think about the time we spent in Rome.
Did you think to ask about the delivery time?
b) to consider someone and their needs or situationthink of:think of yourself:It was kind of you to think of our daughter.
It's clear he was thinking only of himself.
5) [intransitive/transitive] to have something in your mindI 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 somethingthink of/about:think that:Just think of what she's suffered!
I never thought that I'd end up working here.
b) spoken used for telling or helping someone to remember someone or somethingHere's a clue: Think Liverpool.
•be thinking of/about doing something
— to have already considered something but not yet made a decision about itSam's thinking of buying our car.
don't even think about/of doing something
— spoken used for telling someone that they must not do somethingDon't even think about lying to me!
do you think...?
— used for asking someone politely to do something; used for asking someone's opinionDo 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 somethingI 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 someoneI 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 situationShe 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 somethingDon'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 situationDan 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 lotEveryone 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 ideaI'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 opinionWhat 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 somethingJust 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 stupidWhy did you say that? What on earth were you thinking of?
who would have thought...?
— spoken used for showing that you are surprised about somethingWho 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 happenedPhrasal verbs:You'd think he'd visit his parents once in a while.
- think upSee:come I, nothing
II UK [θɪŋk] / US noun
English dictionary. 2014.