do not think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not think" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to refrain from overthinking or considering something. Example: "In this situation, do not think too much; just follow your instincts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I do not think so".

The New York Times

Some do not think so.

The Economist

You do not think.

The New York Times - Sports

Do not think I am heartless.

The New Yorker

I simply do not think like that.

The New Yorker

"We do not think he committed suicide.

Independent

I do not think of the academy.

The New Yorker

Jazz musicians do not think traditionally.

The New York Times

We do not think this way anymore.

The New Yorker

At least scientists do not think so.

The New York Times

"I do not think about it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone on a course of action, "do not think" can be effective for encouraging instinctual responses over calculated ones.

Common error

Avoid using "do not think" when a simpler "don't think" is more appropriate in informal contexts. Overly formal phrasing can sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not think" functions primarily as a negative imperative, used to discourage or prohibit the act of thinking about something. It's employed to guide someone's actions or mindset, as shown in Ludwig's examples, such as "Do not think about the body." This demonstrates its use in providing direction or advice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do not think" is a grammatically sound negative imperative with a versatile range of applications. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and wikis. Although "don't think" is more common in informal settings, "do not think" serves a purpose in formal writing to emphasize a command or directive. When advising someone, "do not think" can promote instinctual action, but it's important to avoid sounding overly formal in casual situations. Effective alternatives to "do not think" include "don't dwell on it", "put it out of your mind", and "let it go", ensuring precise communication for every scenario. The examples in Ludwig show how "do not think" serves to redirect focus and encourage decisive action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

don't dwell on it

This alternative focuses on avoiding prolonged consideration of something, emphasizing letting it go.

put it out of your mind

This suggests a more active effort to remove a thought from one's consciousness.

dismiss it from your thoughts

Similar to 'put it out of your mind' but slightly more formal, implying a conscious rejection of a thought.

don't give it a second thought

Indicates that something is not worth further consideration or worry.

let it go

A simple and direct way of advising someone to stop thinking about something, often used in emotional contexts.

avoid pondering

Focuses on sidestepping deep contemplation of a subject.

cease contemplation

This is more formal and advises stopping a process of thoughtful examination.

disregard that thought

Suggests actively ignoring a specific idea or consideration.

look past it

Advises to move forward and not be held back by a previous thought or event.

ignore it completely

A straightforward instruction to pay no attention to a thought or issue.

FAQs

How can I use "do not think" in a sentence?

Use "do not think" to advise someone against overanalyzing or dwelling on a specific topic. For example, "In this case, "don't overthink it"; just act".

What's a more concise alternative to "do not think"?

Alternatives include "don't dwell on it", "put it out of your mind", or "let it go", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is "do not think" too formal for casual conversation?

In many casual situations, "don't think" is more appropriate. "Do not think" can sound overly formal or stiff in everyday speech.

When is it best to use "do not think" over "don't think"?

"Do not think" is best used in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the instruction. It can also be used for rhetorical effect.