not think much of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not think much of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a low opinion or lack of regard for someone or something. Example: "She does not think much of his ability to lead the team effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The resulting exodus, he says, would prompt "serious thinking" in Pyongyang.China, however, would not think much of this plan.

The Economist

People did not think much of it.

The New York Times

I did not think much of it.

The New York Times - Magazine

He did not think much of collecting things & displaying them.

The New Yorker

Mr Tenet reportedly did not think much of it.

The Economist

Mr Banks does not think much of these immigrant medics.

The Economist

She did not think much of him at the time.

The New York Times

He does not think much of government officials, either.

The New York Times

Mr. Resto did not think much of it.

The New York Times - Health

He said they did not think much of it.

The New York Times

Mr. Kuchma does not think much of that notion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not think much of" to express a mild form of disapproval or lack of enthusiasm. It's suitable when you want to convey your opinion without being overly harsh or critical.

Common error

Avoid stacking negative expressions with "not think much of", as it can make your sentence unnecessarily complex and harder to understand. Instead of saying "I don't not think much of it", rephrase it to "I appreciate it" or "I value it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not think much of" functions as a verb phrase expressing a negative opinion or a lack of appreciation. As noted by Ludwig, it is a common way to indicate that someone does not hold something in high regard, or is not impressed by it. Examples in Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts ranging from personal opinions to assessments of political actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

100%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not think much of" is a widely used expression to convey a mild form of disapproval or a lack of enthusiasm. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for use in a variety of contexts, especially in News & Media. While direct, it's not overly harsh, making it suitable for expressing your opinion without being overly critical. When writing, be careful not to overuse negative constructions and remember that it's more informal than saying something like "have a low opinion of". Consider its semantic closeness to other phrases such as "disapprove of" and "not be impressed by" to better nuance the expression of your opinion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a low opinion of

Directly indicates a negative assessment or poor estimation of someone or something.

disapprove of

Expresses disagreement or condemnation, implying a negative judgment.

have no respect for

Highlights a lack of admiration or esteem for someone or something.

not be impressed by

Suggests a lack of positive reaction or admiration, implying disappointment.

not appreciate

Indicates a failure to recognize the value or quality of something.

scorn

Implies intense disdain or contempt, a stronger and more emotional rejection.

undervalue

Suggests an underestimation of the worth or significance of something.

look down on

Suggests a feeling of superiority, indicating a condescending attitude.

disregard

Implies a lack of importance or attention given to something.

dislike

Expresses a general feeling of aversion or negativity towards something.

FAQs

How can I use "not think much of" in a sentence?

You can use "not think much of" to express a low opinion or lack of regard for something. For example, "She does "not think much of" his leadership skills".

What are some alternatives to "not think much of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "disapprove of", "have a low opinion of", or "not be impressed by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "not think much of" a formal or informal expression?

"Not think much of" is generally considered an informal expression, suitable for everyday conversation and writing. In more formal contexts, you might choose a more direct or sophisticated alternative.

What's the difference between "not think much of" and "dislike"?

"Not think much of" implies a lack of respect or admiration, while "dislike" simply means you don't enjoy or approve of something. The former suggests a more considered judgment.