now they think

USAGE SUMMARY

"now they think" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often a phrase used to express a sudden change in opinion, thought, or attitude. For example, "The Smiths were suspicious of new technology, but now they think it could be the key to their success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Now they think he's a traitor.

The Economist

Now they think about genomics and data.

The New York Times - Books

"Now they think, Ooh, that looks cool".

The New York Times - Magazine

Now they think they can.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now they think I'm a genius," Ms. Flood said.

The New York Times

Now they think they can find life on Mars.

The Guardian

"Right now, they think I probably won't," Garnes said.

The New York Times - Sports

Now they think they have solved the packaging problem.

The New Yorker

"He built them that building and now they think they're important," he said.

The New York Times

Now they think all politicians are as bad as one another.

Independent

Earlier, they did not oppose it, but now they think enough is enough!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "now they think", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "now they think" without clearly identifying who "they" are. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Provide context or a specific noun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "now they think" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause to indicate a shift in belief or perspective. It highlights a change from a previous understanding, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "now they think" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate a shift in opinion or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent appearance in News & Media sources. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who "they" refers to, and leverage it to effectively contrast past and present viewpoints. Remember that, while generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be appropriate in certain academic or professional settings. Always make sure it's used in the correct context and that there's no ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

currently they believe

Focuses on present belief, similar to "now they think".

they believe presently

Similar to "now they think", focusing on present belief.

at present they consider

Emphasizes the current consideration, slightly more formal.

they now assume

Implies a current assumption, slightly less certain.

in their current view

Highlights the present perspective, more descriptive.

as of now, they understand

Specifies the timing of understanding.

their current understanding is

More formal and emphasizes comprehension.

they currently surmise

Implies a conjecture based on current information.

they now have the opinion

Highlights a newly formed opinion.

they've changed their minds to

Indicates a shift to a new understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "now they think" in a sentence?

You can use "now they think" to show a shift in opinion. For example, "Initially, they doubted the project's success, but "now they think" it's a game-changer".

What are some alternatives to "now they think"?

Alternatives include phrases like "currently they believe", "at present they consider", or "in their current view depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

Is "now they think" formal or informal?

"Now they think" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "now they think" and "they used to think"?

"Now they think" indicates a current belief, while "they used to think" refers to a past belief that has since changed. The former focuses on the present, and the latter emphasizes the contrast between past and present.