i think that

USAGE SUMMARY

'I think that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express your opinion or a belief. For example, "I think that this new policy will be beneficial for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do I think that?

The New Yorker

I think that compares favourably.

Independent

So I think that helps.

The New Yorker

I think that scares us.

The New Yorker

I think that was true.

The New York Times

I think that was tough".

The New York Times

I think that was wrong.

The New Yorker

I think that was key".

Independent

I think that was right.

The Economist

I think that is right".

Independent

"I think that was it.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I think that" to clearly signal your own viewpoint, especially when presenting potentially subjective information or analysis.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "I think that", as it can make your writing sound repetitive and less confident. Vary your sentence structure by occasionally omitting the phrase when the subjective nature is already clear, or using alternatives like "in my opinion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I think that" functions as a discourse marker, explicitly signaling the introduction of a personal opinion, belief, or assessment. Ludwig shows it's widely used to frame statements as subjective perspectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

6%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I think that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce personal opinions or beliefs. As shown by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and very common in both written and spoken English. While it's suitable for many contexts, varying your language with alternatives like "in my opinion" can improve writing style. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is acceptable and widely used, particularly in news media and scientific writing. Use it to clearly signal your viewpoint, but avoid overuse to maintain a confident and engaging tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I believe that

Emphasizes a stronger conviction or certainty compared to a simple thought.

In my opinion

Explicitly states that the following statement is a personal viewpoint.

I consider that

Suggests a more thoughtful evaluation has taken place.

It seems to me that

Introduces a sense of personal perception or impression.

As far as I'm concerned

Highlights the speaker's personal stance on a matter.

I assume that

Indicates a supposition based on limited evidence.

From my perspective

Frames the statement as a viewpoint influenced by personal experience.

My understanding is that

Indicates the speaker's current grasp of a situation or concept.

I gather that

Suggests that the speaker has inferred something from available information.

I'm of the opinion that

A more formal way of expressing a personal belief.

FAQs

How can I use "I think that" effectively in a sentence?

Use "I think that" to introduce your opinion or belief, but ensure the statement is clear and supported by evidence or reasoning within the context of your writing or conversation. Avoid overuse to maintain a confident tone.

What are some alternatives to "I think that" to add variety to my writing?

You can use alternatives such as "I believe that", "in my opinion", or "it seems to me that" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it always necessary to use "that" after "I think"?

While grammatically correct, the "that" after "I think" is often omitted in informal speech and writing. Whether to include it depends on the desired level of formality and clarity. However, it is generally safe to omit it, unless it causes confusion.

How does "I think that" differ from "I know that"?

"I think that" indicates a belief or opinion, while "I know that" suggests a higher degree of certainty based on evidence or experience. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the strength of your conviction.