do not think to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do not think to be" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a sentiment about not considering oneself to be something, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "I do not think to be someone who gives up easily."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

William Morris, the Picasso of wallpaper, helped codify the movement's first principle: "Have nothing in your homes which you do not think to be beautiful or know to be useful".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Well I don't think, to be honest, he lived that long.

The Guardian

Generalized spraying with organophosphate or pyrethroid insecticides, while sometimes done, is not thought to be effective.

Wikipedia

I don't feel I'm ready'., I do not think anyone is ready to die.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

DO NOT think you need to be nice.

WikiHow

"I don't think so to be honest.

BBC

"I don't think that's to be compared.

The Guardian - Sport

I don't think this is to do with hostility.

Vice

I don't think they're going to have to".

The New Yorker

People don't think they're up to thinking big.

Forbes

It is something you don't think is going to happen and I appreciate that".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "do not think to be" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives such as "do not consider myself to be" or "do not believe I am".

Common error

Do not assume that a literal translation from another language will always work in English. The structure of "do not think to be" might seem logical, but it violates standard English grammar rules.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not think to be" primarily functions as an incorrect attempt to express a belief or opinion about one's own identity or characteristics. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction is awkward and unclear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "do not think to be" is grammatically questionable and rarely used in standard English. As Ludwig AI indicates, its intended meaning—expressing disbelief or disagreement about a self-attributed characteristic—is better conveyed through alternatives like "do not consider myself to be" or "I don't believe I am". While some occurrences exist in news and wiki sources, its incorrect structure and limited frequency suggest avoiding it in formal writing. Prioritize clarity and grammatical correctness by choosing more conventional phrasings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do not consider myself to be

This alternative replaces the awkward construction with a more direct and grammatically sound expression of self-perception.

do not believe myself to be

Similar to the previous alternative, this uses "believe" for a slightly different nuance in expressing a lack of self-identification.

do not think I am

A simpler phrasing that directly expresses a differing opinion or disbelief about a personal attribute or state.

do not regard myself as

This uses "regard" to convey a more formal sense of self-assessment and identity.

do not see myself as

This phrase focuses on a lack of self-perception in a particular role or identity.

do not deem myself to be

A more formal alternative using "deem" to express a considered judgment about oneself.

I don't think I'm

Simple contraction to express similar disagreement or disbelief, conversational register.

I don't believe I am

A straightforward expression of disbelief regarding a statement about oneself.

I don't consider myself

Replaces 'think' with 'consider' to convey similar disagreement or disbelief, self-perception.

I wouldn't call myself

This is a colloquial way of expressing that you don't identify with a certain description.

FAQs

What does "do not think to be" mean?

The phrase "do not think to be" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English. It may be intended to express a sentiment about not considering oneself to be something, but the construction is awkward and unclear.

How can I rephrase "do not think to be" to be grammatically correct?

You can use alternatives like "do not consider myself to be" or "do not believe I am" depending on the intended meaning.

Is it ever appropriate to use the phrase "do not think to be"?

Due to its grammatical incorrectness, it is best to avoid using "do not think to be" in formal or professional contexts. Opt for clearer and more widely accepted alternatives.

What's the difference between "do not think to be" and "do not consider myself to be"?

The phrase "do not think to be" is grammatically awkward and not standard English. "Do not consider myself to be" is a grammatically correct way to express that you don't view yourself in a particular way.