Skip to main content

think

‘have an opinion’: not progressive​

When think is used for opinions, progressive forms are unusual.

  • I don’t think much of his latest book. (not I’m not thinking much…)
  • Who do you think will win the election? (not Who are you thinking …?)

Other meanings: progressive possible​

When think has other meanings (e.g. consider or plan) progressives are possible.

  • You’re looking worried. What are you thinking about? (not … What do you think about?)
  • I’m thinking of changing my job.

-ing forms​

After think, -ing forms can be used, but infinitives are not usually possible unless there is an object (see here) below).

  • She’s thinking of going to Brazil next year. (not She’s thinking to go …)

However, think + infinitive can be used when we talk about remembering to do something, or having the good sense to do something.

  • Did you think to close the windows when it started raining?

think + object (+ to be) + complement​

In a very formal style, think is sometimes followed by an object and an adjective or noun complement.

  • They thought her fascinating.
  • We thought him a fool.

It can be used as a preparatory object (see here) for an infinitive or clause.

  • I thought it better to pretend that I knew nothing.
  • We thought it important that she should go home.

To be is occasionally used before the complement (suggesting objective judgement rather than subjective impression), but this is very unusual.

  • They thought him to be a spy.

In more normal styles, that-clauses are preferred after think.

  • They thought that she was fascinating.
  • We thought that he was a fool.

However, the passive equivalent of the object + complement structure is reasonably common, usually with to be.

  • He was thought to be a spy.

Transferred negation: I don’t think …​

When think is used to introduce a negative clause, we most often put not with think, rather than with the following clause (see here).

  • I don’t think it will rain. (More natural than I think it won’t rain.)
  • Emily doesn’t think she can come.

However, we can express surprise with I thought … not.

  • Hello! I thought you weren’t coming!

Indirect speech​

Think does not usually introduce indirect questions.

  • I was wondering if I could do anything to help. (More natural than I was thinking if …)

I thought …​

Note the use of stressed I thought … to suggest that the speaker was right. Compare:

  • ‘It isn’t very nice.’ ‘Oh, dear. I thought you’d LIKE it. (But I was wrong.)’
  • ‘It’s beautiful!’ ‘Oh, I am glad. I THOUGHT you’d like it. (And I was right.)’

I had thought …, I should think, etc​

Past perfect forms can suggest that the speaker was mistaken, especially when had is stressed.

  • I had thought that we were going to be invited to dinner.

I should think and I should have thought (also I would / I’d …) are used (mostly in British English) to introduce guesses.

  • I should think we’ll need at least twelve bottles of wine.
  • I’d have thought we could expect at least forty people.

This structure can also introduce criticisms.

  • I should have thought he could have washed his hands, at least.
note

For I (don’t) think so and I thought so, (see here).