thinks that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thinks that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express someone's opinion or belief about something. Example: "She thinks that the project will be completed by next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who thinks that way?

The New Yorker

President Kabila thinks that will not matter.

The Economist

He thinks that is about right.

The Economist

Who thinks that is an equilibrium?

Yale University

"Who thinks that makes sense?

The New Yorker

Harris thinks that is not enough.

Science Magazine

But he thinks that can be managed.

Los Angeles Times

He thinks that was still with the physical symptoms.

BMC Psychiatry

Mallory thinks that is unnecessary.

WikiHow

'Everyone thinks that,' she says.

The Guardian - Film

He thinks that it is.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thinks that" to clearly express someone's opinion or belief. It's a straightforward and widely understood way to attribute a thought to a specific individual or group.

Common error

While perfectly acceptable, relying heavily on "thinks that" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "believes that" or "considers that", especially in formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

"Thinks that" functions as a reporting verb phrase. It introduces a subordinate clause that expresses the content of someone's thought, opinion, or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a standard and acceptable way to attribute ideas to individuals or entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thinks that" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for expressing someone's belief or opinion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted across various contexts. While alternatives like "believes that" or "considers that" may be suitable for more formal settings, "thinks that" remains a straightforward and effective choice for general communication. Its frequency across news, science, and academic sources underscores its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Believes that

Replaces "thinks" with a synonym emphasizing conviction.

Considers that

Indicates a more thoughtful or deliberate assessment.

Assumes that

Suggests a presumption without concrete evidence.

Presumes that

Similar to "assumes that", implying a belief based on probability.

Posits that

Introduces a statement as a hypothesis or starting point.

Hypothesizes that

Presents a tentative explanation for a phenomenon.

Maintains that

Indicates a firm and persistent belief.

Asserts that

Emphasizes a confident and forceful declaration.

Contends that

Suggests an argument or debate is involved.

Estimates that

Implies an approximate judgment or calculation.

FAQs

How can I use "thinks that" in a sentence?

Use "thinks that" to attribute a belief or opinion to someone, like in the sentence, "He "thinks that" the project will succeed".

What are some alternatives to "thinks that"?

You can use alternatives such as "believes that", "considers that", or "assumes that" to express similar meanings.

Is there a difference between saying "thinks that" and "believes that"?

While similar, "believes that" often suggests a stronger conviction than "thinks that". "Thinks that" can imply a more casual or less certain opinion.

When is it appropriate to use "thinks that" in writing?

"Thinks that" is appropriate in most writing contexts, but consider using more formal alternatives like "maintains that" or "asserts that" in academic or professional settings.