entitled to think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entitled to think" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's right or freedom to hold a particular opinion or belief. Example: "Everyone is entitled to think what they want, even if it differs from the majority view."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

These are hard sayings – and, of course, we are entitled to think of them as a way of speaking and thinking – as a way of trying on for size an alternative to the grief that speaks out in the broken, sincere music of those first lines.

The Guardian - Opinion

People are entitled to think what they want.

The New York Times

He's entitled to think what he likes, of course, but his logic is bizarre.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They're entitled to think about their club and their players in a very focused way," Garber said of Galaxy fans.

The New York Times - Sports

Wenger was still probably entitled to think his team had enough of the ball to warrant the victory.

The Guardian - Sport

Mourinho was entitled to think his team should have had a first-half penalty when Edinson Cavani tripped Costa.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

But I'm entitled to say, I think, having spent 50 years trying to serve this country in one form or another at home and abroad, to see my country draw back from a coalition in favour of international law and decide that the answer is to stand aside does not fill me with great joy.

The Guardian

You should be entitled to that, I think.

Vice

Good luck to him but I think I'm entitled to say what I think of it.

The Guardian - Sport

"They are more than entitled to ask us to think long and hard about every piece of new investment we make, relative to whether we make cash returns to them".

The New York Times

And it lends credibility to a promise Tony Blair made during his campaign, when he said that Labour would be more radical than many supposed or, indeed, than his manifesto entitled anybody to think.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entitled to think" when you want to emphasize someone's freedom to form their own opinions, even if those opinions are unpopular or unconventional.

Common error

Avoid using "entitled to think" as a shield for expressing harmful or disrespectful opinions. While everyone has the right to their thoughts, that right doesn't excuse speech that infringes on the rights or well-being of others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entitled to think" functions as an adjective phrase, indicating that someone has the right or justification to hold a particular opinion or belief. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which showcase its use in various contexts to express freedom of thought.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "entitled to think" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey someone's right to hold a particular opinion or belief. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, with a neutral to professional register. While it's important to respect diverse viewpoints, using "entitled to think" should not justify harmful or disrespectful speech. Remember that there are several alternatives to this construction, such as "has the right to think" or "is free to believe", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have the right to think

Emphasizes the legal or moral right to hold an opinion.

be free to believe

Highlights the freedom to hold a particular belief.

be permitted to think

Focuses on the permission granted to hold an opinion.

have the liberty to think

Stresses the freedom and lack of constraint in forming thoughts.

be justified in thinking

Suggests there's a valid reason or basis for holding a particular thought.

be within one's rights to think

Explicitly states that holding a certain opinion is within someone's rights.

have grounds to think

Implies a logical foundation or reason for thinking something.

be authorized to think

Indicates an official or formal permission to think in a certain way.

be empowered to think

Highlights the feeling of being given the ability and confidence to form an opinion.

be sanctioned to think

Suggests that thinking in a certain way is officially approved or allowed.

FAQs

How can I use "entitled to think" in a sentence?

You can use "entitled to think" to indicate that someone has the right to hold a certain opinion. For example, "While I disagree with his stance, he is "entitled to think" differently."

What's a good alternative to "entitled to think"?

Alternatives include phrases like "has the right to think", "is free to believe", or "is permitted to think", which all convey a similar meaning of having the freedom to hold an opinion.

Is it correct to say "entitled to believe" instead of "entitled to think"?

Yes, "entitled to believe" is a perfectly acceptable alternative, particularly when referring to deeply held convictions or principles.

What is the difference between "entitled to think" and "expected to think"?

"Entitled to think" emphasizes the right or freedom to hold an opinion, whereas "expected to think" suggests there is an obligation or social pressure to think a certain way. They have distinct meanings.