it thinks that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it thinks that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce the opinion of something (usually an entity that isn't a person, such as a group, company, or organization). For example, "The government thinks that taxes should be raised to pay for public services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Google now says it thinks that its attempt to help bring openness to China has failed.

The New York Times - Tech

It thinks that its mainly rich member countries will see their output fall by more than 4%.

The Economist

Unlike in its August report, it thinks that the economy will continue growing at this rate in 2005.The reasons for the change of mind are domestic.

The Economist

Apple refuses to support either man's file system in the iPod; presumably, it thinks that its own Apple Lossless format is good enough.

Forbes

But it thinks that in a few months its estimate will come to between £1tn and £1.5tn.

The Guardian - Business

More than 90% of the firm's business to date has come from governments, but it thinks that in the future half of its customers could be corporate.

The Economist

"It thinks that Iran, once sanctions are lifted, will rebuild its economy and then ignore its nuclear obligations.

The Guardian

Maybe it thinks that with time it can assemble more evidence favoring its preferred solution of letting the PCBs lie.

The New York Times

Janus has said it thinks that the trading accounted for less than 1percentt of its assets.

The New York Times

It thinks that unlikely.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Your brain recognises something real but then it thinks, 'that can't be possible'.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it thinks that", ensure the 'it' clearly refers to a defined entity (e.g. a company, organization, or system) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it thinks that" when referring to inanimate objects that cannot possess thoughts. For example, instead of "The algorithm thinks that…", consider "The algorithm is designed to…" or "The algorithm suggests that…".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it thinks that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a statement of belief, opinion, or judgment held by a non-human entity. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction is commonly used when referring to organizations, systems, or abstract entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it thinks that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to attribute a belief or opinion to an entity, such as a company or system, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it can be substituted with synonyms like "it believes that" or "it considers that" to convey different nuances. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly defining what "it" refers to. Avoid using it for inanimate objects lacking the capacity for thought. Its widespread use across diverse sources makes it a versatile and reliable expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it believes that

Replaces "thinks" with a stronger term indicating a firm conviction.

it considers that

Suggests a more deliberate and thoughtful assessment.

it assumes that

Implies a supposition without concrete proof.

it presumes that

Similar to assumes, but with a slightly more formal tone.

it supposes that

Indicates a tentative belief based on limited information.

it understands that

Suggests a comprehension or realization of a fact.

it anticipates that

Focuses on expectations about future events.

it predicts that

Offers a forecast or projection based on available data.

it estimates that

Provides a numerical approximation or assessment.

it infers that

Draws a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "it thinks that" in a sentence?

Use "it thinks that" to introduce the perspective or belief of an entity, such as a company, organization, or system. For example, "The company thinks that the new strategy will increase profits."

What are some alternatives to "it thinks that"?

You can use alternatives such as "it believes that", "it considers that", or "it assumes that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "it thinks that" or "it is thinking that"?

"It thinks that" is generally preferred because "think" is often used to express opinions or beliefs rather than an ongoing process. However, "it is thinking about" is correct when referring to a process of consideration.

Is "it thinks that" formal or informal?

"It thinks that" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly when referring to organizations or systems. The formality depends more on the surrounding language.