don't you think

USAGE SUMMARY

"don't you think" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to ask for another person's opinion, and is used as an invitation for them to express their thoughts on the matter. For example: "Don't you think this new policy is going to help the company?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Don't you think?

The New York Times - Magazine

Strange, don't you think?

The New Yorker

Don't you think so?

The New York Times - Magazine

Especially boys, don't you think?

The New Yorker

Quite cutting, don't you think?

Independent

Don't you think that's sad?

The New York Times

"It's élégante, don't you think?

The New Yorker

Don't you think we cry?

The New York Times

Don't you think?" she said.

The New Yorker

Don't you think we bleed?

The New York Times

Exciting stuff, don't you think?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "don't you think" sparingly in formal writing. It's generally more appropriate for conversational contexts.

Common error

Avoid overuse in formal writing. Too many question tags like "don't you think" can make your writing seem insecure or lacking in authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "don't you think" functions as a question tag, added to the end of a statement to solicit agreement or confirmation from the listener. Ludwig shows many examples where it's used to soften a statement or make it more engaging.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "don't you think" is a very common question tag used to solicit agreement or confirmation. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and predominantly used in neutral to informal contexts, often found in news and media. While effective for engaging listeners, it should be used sparingly in formal writing. Alternatives like "wouldn't you say" or "what do you think" can be used for varied tone and formality. Overusing question tags like "don't you think" can undermine the writer's authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wouldn't you say

Replaces "think" with "say", focusing on agreement with a statement.

do you not think

A more formal or emphatic phrasing of the question.

isn't it so

Seeks confirmation of a shared understanding.

would you not agree

Formal and polite way of soliciting agreement.

what do you think

A more direct inquiry about someone's opinion.

does it not seem

Invites agreement on an apparent situation.

am I wrong in thinking

Expresses uncertainty and seeks validation.

surely you agree

Implies a strong expectation of agreement.

correct me if I'm wrong

Humbly requests correction if the speaker is mistaken.

or what

Informal way of asking for agreement or alternative opinions

FAQs

How to use "don't you think" in a sentence?

"Don't you think" is used at the end of a statement to invite agreement or seek confirmation. For example, "This movie is amazing, don't you think?"

What can I say instead of "don't you think"?

You can use alternatives like "wouldn't you say", "isn't it so", or "what do you think" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "do you not think" instead of "don't you think"?

Yes, "do you not think" is grammatically correct, but it's more formal and less common than "don't you think".

What's the difference between "don't you think" and "what do you think"?

"Don't you think" usually follows a statement and seeks agreement, while "what do you think" is a more open-ended question asking for an opinion.