think ill of

USAGE SUMMARY

"think ill of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom meaning to have a negative opinion or feeling about someone or something. Example: My parents think ill of my new fiancé, so it will be difficult to convince them to attend the wedding.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

I also remember chastising myself thinking I, too, was paranoid and should not think ill of those around me.

HuffPost

As such, it's easy to think ill of them.

Independent

She was brought up to think ill of him.

The New York Times

Laura wasn't brought up to think ill of me, and I've known her steadily.

The New York Times

However, it would be wrong to think ill of the VC for not taking an interest.

The Guardian

But if someone does think ill of me then I want to know why.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

I was embarrassed that she called the other guests, who otherwise would never had thought ill of my food preparation.

The Washington Post

But this is only one phase of an attitude of mind that thinks ill of law which does not accord with private wishes.

Cornell University

Waugh is terse in his answers – "everyone thinks ill of the BBC," he says cheerfully when questioned – but then, this was his first appearance on TV.

Stanford University

As it happens, you did not poison your guests, so there is no reason to think that people who did not get ill from your food nevertheless thought ill of you.

The Washington Post

IN A country that thinks ill of its political classes, support for Shinzo Abe has remained uncannily high since he came to office a year ago in his second stint as Japan's prime minister.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "think ill of" when you want to express a negative judgment or opinion about someone or something without being overly harsh. It's a nuanced way to convey disapproval.

Common error

Avoid using "think ill of" when a stronger term like "hate" or "despise" is more appropriate. "Think ill of" implies a level of disapproval that is less intense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think ill of" functions as an idiomatic expression, indicating a negative judgment or opinion about someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its use in expressing disapproval or distrust.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "think ill of" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic phrase used to express a negative opinion or judgment. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in written English. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Academia and Science contexts. While "think ill of" conveys disapproval, it's not as strong as terms like "hate". When aiming to express disapproval or distrust in a relatively mild form, "think ill of" will prove a valuable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

think poorly of

Uses "poorly" instead of "ill" to convey a similar sentiment, focusing on a low opinion.

think badly of

Substitutes "badly" for "ill", suggesting a negative judgment or disapproval.

have a low opinion of

Rephrases the idea as possessing a negative or unfavorable view.

look down on

Suggests a feeling of superiority and disdain towards someone or something.

disapprove of

Focuses on the act of not approving or accepting something or someone.

judge harshly

Emphasizes the severity and negativity of the judgment.

take a dim view of

Expresses a pessimistic or negative outlook on something.

be down on

Suggests a critical and unsympathetic attitude.

criticize severely

Focuses on the act of expressing strong disapproval.

condemn

Implies a strong and formal disapproval or denunciation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "think ill of" someone?

To "think ill of" someone means to have a negative opinion or judgment about them. It suggests a level of disapproval or distrust.

How can I use "think ill of" in a sentence?

You can use "think ill of" to express a negative opinion. For example: "I don't want people to "think ill of" me because of my mistakes."

What's a more formal way to say "think ill of"?

A more formal alternative to "think ill of" is to say "have a low opinion of". This phrase conveys a similar meaning but sounds more sophisticated.

Is it better to "think poorly of" or "think ill of" someone?

Both "think poorly of" and ""think ill of"" are acceptable and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context.