Language Research

think · verb

/θɪŋk/Full view

Word family

Nouns: think, rethink, thinker, thinking

Adjectives: unthinkable

Verbs: think, rethink

think (BELIEVE TO BE TRUE)

A1 I or T to believe that something is true, or to expect that something will happen, although you are not sure

Dictionary examples:

I think she's called Joanna.

"Does this train stop at Oxford?" "Yes, I think so."

I never thought (that) I would see Steven again.

I think we've met before.

Do you think it's going to rain?

I don't think Emma will get the job.

Learner example:

I think we will have [a] good time. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

think (OPINION)

A1 I or T to have an opinion about something or someone

Dictionary examples:

What did you think of the film?

What do you think about modern art?

Learner example:

It w[ould] be wonderful to eat chicken with some ve[g]etables. What do you think about that? (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)

think (CONSIDER DOING)

A2 I to consider doing something

Dictionary examples:

I'm thinking of taking up running.

I think (that) I'll go swimming after lunch.

I'm thinking about buying a new car.

Learner example:

I'm thinking of painting it blue. (Key English Test; A2; Albanian)

think (USE BRAIN)

B1 I to use the brain to plan something, understand a situation, etc.

Dictionary examples:

He thought for a few seconds before answering.

You should think about where you want to live.

I'm so sorry I upset you - I just wasn't thinking.

Learner example:

I thought for a few days and finally decided to buy "Titanic". (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)

think of sth

B1 to use your imagination and intelligence to produce an idea, a solution to a problem, or an answer to a question

Dictionary examples:

When did you first think of the idea?

I need to think of a suitable way to fix the door.

Learner example:

Sud[d]enly I thought of a simp[le] way to get money from him. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)

think (REMEMBER)

B1 I to remember someone or something

Dictionary examples:

I was just thinking about you when you phoned.

I often think of our time in Egypt.

Learner example:

I often think of them. I miss them so much. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Turkish)

think (CONSIDER PEOPLE)

B2 I to consider a person's needs or wishes

Dictionary example:

She's always thinking of others.

Learner example:

If you don't think of your family and private life, at least think of your health. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

not think straight

C1 If you cannot think straight, you are not thinking clearly about something.

Dictionary example:

I was so tired, I couldn't think straight.

Learner example:

My stress wouldn't let me think straight. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

not think much of sb/sth

C2 to not like someone, or to believe that something is not good quality

Dictionary example:

I don't think much of the food here.

Learner example:

When they met for the first time, they did not think much of each other. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

Who would have thought...?

C2 used to express how surprising something is

Dictionary example:

Who would have thought that buying a house could take so long!

Learner example:

Who would have thought that instead of getting square-eyed from watching too much TV, Malcolm was getting sore-eyed from spending too much time scribbling in his leat[h]er-bound diary late at night? (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

think highly/a lot of sb/sth

C2 to admire someone, or to believe that something is good quality

Dictionary example:

Simon thinks a lot of you, you know.

Learner example:

He was well known all over the world and even critics thought highly of him. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

think of sb/sth as sth

C1 to have a particular opinion about someone or something

Dictionary example:

They were thought of as slightly eccentric.

Learner example:

Today's youth is thought of as lazy "couch potatoes" and unhealthy "computer-freaks", but this is only true for the minority of young people. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; German)

think twice

C1 to carefully consider whether what you are planning is a good idea

Dictionary example:

I'd think twice about spending so much money on one thing, if I were you.

Learner example:

Now I will think twice before I buy your paper again. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

not think twice

C1 to do something immediately, without considering whether it is a good idea

Dictionary example:

When he asked me out, I didn't think twice!

Learner example:

Your advertisement seemed very convincing and as I intended to travel to exotic locations I did not think twice. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)

come to think of it

C2 used to say that you have just thought of something

Dictionary example:

Come to think of it, I've got two batteries that you can have upstairs.

Learner example:

Come to think of it, it really is quite difficult to say. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

I dread to think

C2 used to say that you do not want to think about something because it is too worrying

Dictionary example:

I dread to think what could have happened if we hadn't been wearing seat belts.

Learner example:

I dread to think what has happened to it since the day my younger brother left it in a park. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)

think ahead ()

C2 to think carefully about what might happen in the future, or to make plans for things you want to do in the future

Dictionary example:

I'm already thinking ahead to what I might do when my exams are over.

Learner example:

On the other hand Muriel has learned that she has to think ahead to protect herself and her son. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

think back ()

C2 to think about things that happened in the past

Dictionary example:

I thought back to the time when I was living in France.

Learner example:

Mary tried to think back to when she had taken it last from the drawer. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Italian)

think over sth or think sth over

B2 to consider an idea or plan carefully before making a decision

Dictionary example:

I'll think it over and give you an answer next week.

Learner example:

She hadn't been able to think over the situation. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

think through sth or think sth through

B2 to carefully consider the possible results of doing something

Dictionary example:

He'd put the plan into action without thinking it through.

Learner example:

Maybe this is our future if we don't think through the situation [soon]. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)