I think him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I think him" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when someone intends to express a thought or opinion about a person, but the correct structure requires an object pronoun. Example: "I think he is a great leader."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

I think him being him is very, very important".

The New York Times

I have no other but a woman's reasons; / I think him so because I think him so".

The Guardian - Books

I think him going to Vietnam was more heroic than my flying fighter jets.

The Washington Post

"I think him hitting 61 was actually a curse because everybody says he was just a one-year guy.

The New York Times

I think him winning this prize makes a lot of sense.

The Guardian - Music

"I think him being a Republican probably has had an effect," Senator Schumer said yesterday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

I thought him a decent man".

Independent

As a child, I thought him invincible.

The Guardian - Books

I thought him a dull mediocrity.

The New Yorker

"I thought him to death," Russell replies.

The Guardian - Film

I thought him and Raheem [Sterling] were outstanding".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct subject pronoun ("he", "she", "they") after "I think" to form a grammatically sound sentence. For example, say "I think he is a good person" instead of "I think him is a good person".

Common error

Avoid using object pronouns ("him", "her", "them") directly after "I think". This creates a grammatically incorrect sentence. Instead, ensure that the sentence structure includes a subject and a verb, such as "I think he is..." or "I think they are..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I think him" functions as an attempted expression of an opinion or belief. However, it is grammatically incorrect, as highlighted by Ludwig AI. The correct structure involves using a subject pronoun.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I think him" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. While it appears in some sources, particularly in News & Media and Wiki contexts, it's essential to use correct grammar for clear communication. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as non-standard, recommending alternatives like "I think he is", "I consider him to be", or "In my opinion, he is". Always prioritize using a subject pronoun and a verb after "I think" to ensure grammatical accuracy in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I believe he is

Replaces the incorrect object pronoun with a correct subject pronoun and adds a verb to form a complete clause.

I consider him to be

Uses "consider" which requires a different grammatical structure than "think" when followed by an object pronoun.

I find him to be

Uses "find" which carries a similar meaning to "think" in terms of forming an opinion, and requires a different grammatical structure.

In my opinion, he is

Adds an introductory phrase to explicitly state that it's a personal opinion, followed by a correct clause.

I regard him as

Replaces "think" with "regard", which implies a considered opinion, and requires a different grammatical structure.

I view him as

Similar to "regard", "view" implies a way of seeing or understanding someone, and requires a different grammatical structure.

I deem him to be

Deem suggests a more formal judgment or assessment, and requires a 'to be' to complete the structure.

My impression of him is that he is

This phrase is longer and provides a more roundabout way of expressing a thought or feeling about someone.

I have the impression that he is

Similar to the previous one, but slightly less formal.

It is my belief that he is

Expresses belief directly rather than implying it through 'thinking'.

FAQs

How can I correctly express my opinion about someone?

Instead of saying "I think him", use constructions like "I think "I think he is"", "I consider him to be", or "In my opinion, he is" to ensure grammatical correctness.

What's the proper way to use "think" when referring to a person?

When you "think" about a person, use a subject pronoun and a verb. For example, "I think he is talented" is correct, while "I think him talented" is not.

Is "I think him" ever grammatically correct?

No, "I think him" is not grammatically correct in standard English. You should rephrase your sentence to use a subject pronoun and a verb, such as "I think he is..."

What are some alternatives to "I think him" that are grammatically sound?

Consider using phrases like "I believe he is", "I consider him to be", or "In my opinion, he is" to express your thoughts about someone accurately.