think to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "think to do" is not grammatically correct in written English.
The correct phrase would be "think about doing" or "intend to do" depending on the context. For example: I'm thinking about doing some research on my family tree. or I intend to do some volunteer work this summer.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I think to do so is wrong.

The Guardian

I never think to do anything as a hobby.

The New Yorker

STEVE COLL: Obama leaves tomorrow for Iowa, Colorado and Nevada, I think, to do jobs events.

The New Yorker

But few people, apparently, think to do a lot of research before coming here.

The New York Times

"I think, to do it correctly, it's a 12-month, everyday operation," Schiller said.

The New York Times - Sports

So that's what drove me, I think, to do things she wasn't doing".

Independent

All she could think to do was to scream her husband's name: "Muharram!

The New York Times

"I just played dead, it was all I could think to do".

The Guardian

"Who else would think to do hamburger and chips?" she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The only thing he could think to do was recite the Lord's Prayer.

The New York Times

But Germany, well-off, contented and hard-working, did not think to do anything.Then came German unification.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing intention or planning, prefer using "intend to do", "plan to do", or "consider doing" instead of "think to do" for better grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid directly following "think" with "to do". This construction is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Replace it with phrases like "think about doing", "intend to do", or "plan to do" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think to do" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically aiming to express an intention or plan. However, it's grammatically questionable, as noted by Ludwig, and usually requires restructuring for correct usage. Examples in Ludwig show it used in various contexts, but not always in a standard grammatical form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "think to do" is frequently encountered but grammatically dubious. Ludwig AI highlights its incorrect usage, advising replacement with phrases like "think about doing", "intend to do", or "plan to do". While commonly found in news and media, its informal nature and grammatical issues make it unsuitable for formal or academic writing. Correcting this phrase enhances clarity and grammatical accuracy, aligning with standard English conventions. The presence of numerous examples in Ludwig underscores its common, albeit incorrect, usage, emphasizing the need for careful attention to grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider doing

Implies contemplating or weighing the possibility of performing an action.

intend to do

Suggests a firm plan or purpose to carry out an action.

plan to do

Emphasizes the arrangement and preparation for an action.

aim to do

Highlights the goal or objective of performing an action.

mean to do

Indicates a prior intention or a sense of obligation to perform an action.

contemplate doing

Suggests a deeper level of thought and consideration before acting.

expect to do

Implies an anticipation or belief that an action will be performed.

anticipate doing

Focuses on looking forward to performing an action.

propose to do

Indicates suggesting or putting forward a plan for an action.

set out to do

Emphasizes the initial effort and determination to start an action.

FAQs

What are some correct alternatives to the phrase "think to do"?

Instead of "think to do", you can use alternatives such as "think about doing", "intend to do", or "plan to do" depending on the context.

Is "think to do" grammatically correct in English?

No, the phrase "think to do" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like "think about doing" or "intend to do".

How can I use "consider doing" instead of "think to do"?

You can replace "think to do" with "consider doing" when you want to express contemplating or weighing the possibility of an action. For example, "I'm considering doing some volunteer work this summer."

What's the difference between "intend to do" and "think to do"?

"Intend to do" suggests a firm plan or purpose, while "think to do" is grammatically incorrect. Use "intend to do" when you have a clear intention to carry out an action.