/ θɪŋk; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
( thought , thought / θɔːt; NAmE /)
HAVE OPINION / BELIEF
1.
think (about sth) (not used in the progressive tenses) to have a particular idea or opinion about sth/sb; to believe sth :
[ v ( that )]
Do you think (that) they'll come?
I thought I heard a scream.
I didn't think you liked sports.
Am I right in thinking that you used to live here?
I think this is their house, but I'm not sure.
He ought to resign, I think.
We'll need about 20 chairs, I should think .
[ vn ( that )]
It was once thought that the sun travelled around the earth.
[ vn ]
What did you think about the idea?
Well, I like it. What do you think ?
[ v ]
'Will we make it in time?' 'I think so .'
'Is he any good?' 'I don't think so .'
[ vn - adj ]
I think it highly unlikely that I'll get the job.
She thought him kind and generous.
[ vn to inf ]
He's thought to be one of the richest men in Europe.
HELP NOTE : This pattern is not usually used unless think is in the passive.
USE MIND
2.
think (about sth) to use your mind to consider sth, to form connected ideas, to try to solve problems, etc. :
[ v ]
Are animals able to think?
Let me think (= give me time before I answer) .
I can't tell you now—I'll have to think about it .
She had thought very deeply about this problem.
All he ever thinks about is money.
I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking (= said when you have upset or offended sb accidentally) .
[ v wh- ]
He was trying to think what to do.
3.
(usually used in the progressive tenses) to have ideas, words or images in your mind :
[ vn ]
You're very quiet. What are you thinking?
[ v wh- ]
I was just thinking what a long way it is.
[ v speech ]
'I must be crazy,' she thought.
IMAGINE
4.
[ no passive ] to form an idea of sth; to imagine sth :
[ v wh- ]
We couldn't think where you'd gone.
Just think how nice it would be to see them again.
[ v ( that )]
I can't think (that) he would be so stupid.
[ v ]
Just think —we'll be lying on the beach this time tomorrow.
[ vn ]
If I'm late home, my mother always thinks the worst .
Try to think yourself into the role.
EXPECT
5.
to expect sth :
[ v ( that )]
I never thought (that) I'd see her again.
The job took longer than we thought.
You'd think she'd have been grateful for my help (= but she wasn't) .
[ v to inf ] ( formal )
Who would have thought to find you here?
IN A PARTICULAR WAY
6.
( informal ) [ no passive ] to think in a particular way or on a particular subject :
[ v - adj ]
Let's think positive.
You need to think big (= aim to achieve a lot) .
[ vn ]
If you want to make money, you've got to think money.
SHOWING ANGER / SURPRISE
7.
[ v ( that )] used in questions to show that you are angry or surprised :
What do you think you're doing?
BEING LESS DEFINITE / MORE POLITE
8.
used to make sth you say sound less definite or more polite : [ v ( that )]
I thought we could go out tonight.
Twenty guests are enough, I would have thought.
Do you think you could open the window?
[ v ]
'You've made a mistake.' 'I don't think so.'
INTEND
9.
to intend sth; to have a plan about sth :
[ v ( that )]
I think I'll go for a swim.
[ v ]
I'm thinking in terms of about 70 guests at the wedding.
REMEMBER
10.
to remember sth; to have sth come into your mind :
[ v to inf ]
I didn't think (= it did not occur to me) to tell her.
[ v wh- ]
I can't think where I put the keys.
•
IDIOMS
- come to think of it
- I don't think so
- if / when you think about it
- I thought as much
- think again
- think aloud / out loud
- think better of it / of doing sth
- think (the) better of sb
- think nothing of it
- think nothing of sth / of doing sth
- think on your feet
- think out of the box
- think straight
- think twice about sth / about doing sth
- think the world, highly, a lot, not much, poorly, little, etc. of sb/sth
- to think (that ... )
—more at fit adjective , great adjective , ill adverb , let verb , like verb , own verb
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- think about / of sb/sth
- think ahead (to sth)
- think back (to sth)
- think for yourself
- think of sth/sb
- think of sb/sth as sb/sth
- think of sth
- think sth out
- think sth over
- think sth through
- think sth up
■ noun
[ sing. ]
•
IDIOMS
- have a think (about sth)
- you've got another think coming
••
SYNONYMS
think
believe ♦ feel ♦ reckon ♦ be under the impression ♦ be of the opinion
These words all mean to have an idea that sth is true or possible or to have a particular opinion about sb/sth.
think
to have an idea that sth is true or possible, although you are not completely certain; to have a particular opinion about sb / sth:
Do you think (that) they'll come?
•
Well, I like it. What do you think?
believe
to have an idea that sth is true or possible, although you are not completely certain; to have a particular opinion about sb / sth:
Police believe (that) the man may be armed.
think or believe?
When you are expressing an idea that you have or that sb has of what is true or possible, believe is more formal than think . It is used especially for talking about ideas that other people have; think is used more often for talking about your own ideas:
Police believe...
•
I think...
When you are expressing an opinion, believe is stronger than think and is used especially for matters of principle; think is used more for practical matters or matters of personal taste.
feel
to have a particular opinion about sth that has happened or about what you/sb ought to do:
We all felt (that) we were unlucky to lose.
reckon
( informal ) to think that sth is true or possible:
I reckon (that) I'm going to get that job.
be under the impression that...
to have an idea that sth is true:
I was under the impression that the work had already been completed.
be of the opinion that...
( formal ) to believe or think that...:
We are of the opinion that great caution should be exercised in dealing with this matter.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
to think / believe / feel / reckon / be under the impression / be of the opinion that...
It is thought / believed / reckoned that...
to be thought / believed / felt / reckoned to be sth
to think / believe / feel sth about sb/sth
to firmly think / believe / feel / be under the impression / be of the opinion
to mistakenly think / believe / feel / be under the impression
to sincerely think / believe / feel / hold
to strongly feel / be of the opinion
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English thencan , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch and German denken .