I think so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I think so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a belief or opinion about something, often in response to a question or statement. Example: "Do you believe we will finish the project on time? I think so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Bramel: I think so.

The New York Times

I think so, anyway.

The New Yorker

"But I think so".

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes I think so.

The New York Times

A. I think so.

The New York Times

Yeah, I think so.

The New York Times

I think so.

The New York Times - Magazine

HALPRIN I think so.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Yes, I thought so".

The New Yorker

I thought so too"?

The New York Times

"I thought so, ma'am.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I think so" when you want to express agreement with a degree of uncertainty or as a polite way to avoid a stronger commitment.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "I think so" in professional or academic writing. Opt for stronger, more confident expressions when presenting arguments or analyses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I think so" primarily functions as a hedge, softening the speaker's commitment to the truth of a statement. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase expresses a belief or opinion with a degree of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I think so" is a versatile phrase used to express agreement with a degree of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and common across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's best to use stronger expressions in formal writing to convey confidence. Consider alternatives like "I believe so" or "probably" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I believe so

Indicates a slightly stronger degree of conviction than "I think so".

I suppose so

Suggests a more reluctant or less enthusiastic agreement.

I imagine so

Implies agreement based on assumption rather than definite knowledge.

I guess so

Indicates a casual or hesitant agreement.

That's what I think

Rephrases the agreement to emphasize personal opinion.

I'm inclined to think so

Expresses a leaning towards agreement, but not a firm decision.

I would think so

Uses conditional tense to soften the agreement and indicate possibility.

It seems likely

Shifts focus to the likelihood of something rather than personal belief.

Probably

Offers a brief and less emphatic agreement.

I daresay

Indicates a more old-fashioned and somewhat formal expression of agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "I think so" in a sentence?

Use "I think so" to express a belief or opinion, typically in response to a question or statement. For example, "Will it rain tomorrow? I think so."

What can I say instead of "I think so"?

You can use alternatives like "I believe so", "I suppose so", or "probably" depending on the context.

Which is more appropriate, "I think so" or "I know so"?

"I think so" expresses a degree of uncertainty, while "I know so" implies certainty. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects your level of confidence.

What's the difference between "I think so" and "I thought so"?

"I think so" indicates a present belief, while "I thought so" indicates a past belief. For example, "I think so now, but I didn't think so yesterday".