think

USAGE SUMMARY

'think' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb, when you mean to consider or ponder something, or as a noun, when you mean an opinion or belief. Example sentence: I think we should talk to a counselor before making any big decisions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I try not to think about it too much.

The New York Times

So what do you think?

The New York Times

Think about that for a moment.

The New York Times

"I think it's for women to make a choice about what clothes they wish to wear, if they wish to wear a veil that is for a woman to make a choice.

The Guardian

David, if you think this election is about leadership, then debate me one on one.

The Guardian

I don't think they have any meaning".

The New York Times

They think it's unfair to expect Germany to make an open-ended commitment to support these countries in the absence of meaningful reform.

The New York Times

"Also I think it actually demeans some quite sensible things.

The Guardian

Some days I don't think I'm going to make it and just feel like killing myself.

The Guardian

I think they are both lurching left and right".

The Guardian

"But I look at people who have been in politics for five, 10, 15 years, and muck up, you see them muck up and think, 'You guys are supposed to be pro!' "People that have gone to Oxbridge, had thousands spent on their education, and I mean they are royally mucking up".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "think" to express an opinion, consider adding a qualifier (e.g., "I think that...", "I tend to think...") to soften the statement and acknowledge other viewpoints.

Common error

Avoid using "think" excessively in writing or speech as a filler word. Over-reliance on "think" can make your communication sound less confident and less precise. Instead, vary your language with more direct and assertive verbs or phrases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "think" is as a verb. It is used to express opinions, engage in cognitive processes, or consider possibilities. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its versatility in different sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "think" is a versatile verb frequently employed to express opinions, consider possibilities, and engage in cognitive processes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "think" is generally neutral in register, overuse as a filler should be avoided. Consider alternatives such as ""believe"" or "consider" for more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believe

Indicates a firm conviction or acceptance of something as true.

consider

Suggests a more deliberate and thoughtful evaluation.

suppose

Indicates a tentative or uncertain belief.

imagine

Implies forming a mental image or concept.

assume

Suggests taking something for granted without proof.

deem

To consider or judge in a particular way, often formally.

reckon

Similar to "guess" or "estimate", often used informally.

conclude

Suggests reaching a judgment or decision after some deliberation.

opine

To express an opinion, often in a formal or assertive manner.

presume

To suppose something is the case on the basis of probability.

FAQs

How can I use "think" in a sentence?

"Think" can be used to express an opinion, consider a problem, or plan an action. For example, "I think it's a good idea" or "I need to think about that".

What's the difference between "think" and "believe"?

"Think" often implies a more tentative or reasoned judgment, while "believe" suggests a stronger conviction or faith. You might "think" it will rain, but you "believe" in climate change.

What can I say instead of "I think"?

Alternatives include "in my opinion", "I believe", "it seems to me", or simply stating your opinion directly without a preamble.

Is it always necessary to say "I think" before stating an opinion?

No, it is not always necessary. Omitting "I think" can make your statements sound more confident and assertive. However, including it can soften potentially controversial or subjective opinions.