To think means to have a thought, to form an opinion, or to believe and consider something. It is an irregular verb: think → thought → thought.
What Does Think Mean?
Think comes from the Old English verb þencan, which meant "to conceive in the mind" or "to consider", itself derived from Proto-Germanic *þankijaną. The word has been central to English for over a thousand years and is related to thank (originally both words shared the sense of "what is in one's mind"). The past tense thought preserves the older Germanic vowel shift known as umlaut.
In modern English, think covers an exceptionally wide range of meanings. At its simplest it describes the act of using one's mind: "Let me think for a moment." It also signals a personal opinion or belief: "I think this is the right decision." In informal speech it frequently acts as a hedging device — a polite way to soften a statement and show the speaker is not entirely certain.
Because think functions both as a dynamic verb (an active mental process: "I am thinking about the problem") and as a stative verb (a held belief: "I think you are correct"), learners must pay attention to which meaning is intended in order to choose the right tense form.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| I think we should review the proposal again. | A2 — expressing a personal opinion with 'I think' |
| She thinks her friend is very kind. | B1 — stative use; simple present, third person |
| He was thinking about his next move carefully before he spoke. | B1 — dynamic use; past continuous showing ongoing reflection |
| Have you thought about the long-term consequences of this plan? | B2 — present perfect; 'think about' + noun phrase |
| It is widely thought that socioeconomic factors play a decisive role in educational outcomes. | C1 — passive construction; academic/formal register |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| think carefully | Think carefully before you answer. |
| think clearly | I need a break — I cannot think clearly right now. |
| think critically | Students are encouraged to think critically about the text. |
| think twice | I would think twice before signing that contract. |
| think ahead | Good managers always think ahead. |
| think outside the box | We need to think outside the box to solve this problem. |
| think of an idea | Can you think of a better solution? |
| think through a plan | Let us think through the plan before we commit. |
| think over a decision | Give me a day to think it over. |
| think for oneself | A good education teaches you to think for yourself. |
Usage Notes
How to Use Think Correctly
- Stative vs dynamic: When think expresses a held opinion or belief, it is stative and does not normally take the continuous: "I think (that) you are right" — not "I am thinking you are right." When it means to actively reflect or consider, the continuous is correct: "I am thinking about your offer."
- That-clause (often omitted): After "I think", the conjunction that is frequently dropped in informal speech: "I think it is a good idea" = "I think that it is a good idea." Both are correct; dropping that is more common in everyday British English.
- Hedging and politeness: "I think" and "I thought" are widely used as hedges to soften requests or suggestions: "I thought we could meet on Thursday" is more polite than a direct command. This is an important feature of British English politeness.
- Phrasal verbs: Think forms many common phrasal verbs — think over (consider carefully), think through (consider all aspects), think up (invent), think back (recall), and think ahead (plan for the future).
- Negative questions: British English commonly uses "Don't you think...?" to invite agreement: "Don't you think this is a bit unusual?" This form is more tentative and social than a direct statement.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
I thinked about it all day.
I thought about it all day. (think is irregular: think / thought / thought)
I am thinking you are right.
I think you are right. (stative meaning: do not use continuous for opinions)
She thinks to leave early.
She thinks she should leave early. / She is thinking of leaving early. (use a that-clause or gerund, not an infinitive directly after think)