think
think — adjective
1. connected with or requiring the use of the mind to form ideas, solve problems, o
connected with or requiring the use of the mind to form ideas, solve problems, or analyze information — used mainly before a noun.
The professor published a think piece on the future of education.
think piece — a written work with personal ideas
A think tank in Washington released a new report on climate policy.
think tank — a group of experts
Her book is full of thought-provoking ideas about how cities grow.
The school hired a think tank to improve student performance.
- analytical
focuses on logical breakdown of information
- intellectual
broader — relates to the mind and academic work
文法句型
think + noun
用法筆記
This adjective form of 'think' is almost always used before a noun in fixed phrases such as 'think piece' or 'think tank'. It does not normally appear after a linking verb.
常見錯誤
think — noun
1. a short period in which you use your mind to consider something, form an opinion
a short period in which you use your mind to consider something, form an opinion, or make a decision.
Let me have a think and I will call you back this afternoon.
have a think — consider before deciding
The store manager said she needed a quiet think before approving the new display budget.
After a long think, Viktor decided to accept the job offer in Hanoi.
Lek gave the job offer a long think before calling the recruiter back to accept it.
- thought
more common and neutral than 'think' as a noun
- consideration
more formal, implies careful attention
- moment of reflection
emphasizes quiet, personal thinking
文法句型
have a think
need a think
用法筆記
Almost always used in the singular with the indefinite article ('a think') or in fixed phrases. 'Have a think' is informal; in formal writing, 'give it some thought' is preferred.
常見錯誤
think — verb
1. to hold a particular belief or view about someone or something in your mind — fo
to hold a particular belief or view about someone or something in your mind — for example, thinking that a movie is good, or thinking that a friend is honest.
Layla thinks the new café is overpriced but the coffee is excellent.
think + that-clause for opinion
Do you think it will rain before the wedding ceremony starts?
Most voters think the mayor is doing a good job with the schools.
Yael did not think the exam was fair, so she wrote a complaint.
Mika thinks the family should leave the airport before the evening rush hour starts.
- doubt
to lack belief or certainty about something
文法句型
think + (that) + clause
think + object + (to be) + complement
用法筆記
With this sense, 'think' is often followed by a that-clause (the 'that' is optional in informal use). When expressing negative opinions, use 'do not think' + positive clause — for example, 'I don't think she is right' rather than 'I think she is not right'.
常見錯誤
2. to have a negative or critical view of someone or their actions; not to respect
to have a negative or critical view of someone or their actions; not to respect or approve of them.
The neighbours thought badly of the family after the shouting was heard late at night.
think badly of — negative opinion
Romi said she thinks less of people who never admit their mistakes.
think less of — reduced respect
Niran's boss thought poorly of the proposal and asked for a new draft.
The teacher never thought ill of any student, even the difficult ones.
- look down on
stronger, implies feeling superior
- disapprove of
formal, focuses on specific actions rather than the whole person
- think highly of
to have a positive opinion
文法句型
think less of someone
think badly of someone
用法筆記
This sense nearly always requires a word that shows the negative judgment — such as 'badly', 'less', 'poorly', or 'ill'. Without such a word, 'think of someone' reverts to the neutral opinion sense.
常見錯誤
3. to care about someone's feelings, needs, or wishes before acting or making a dec
to care about someone's feelings, needs, or wishes before acting or making a decision.
Stefan always thinks about his grandparents before booking holiday flights.
think about + someone's needs
The manager did not think of the staff when he scheduled the meeting at seven in the morning.
think of — consider someone's situation
Please think of the neighbours and keep the music down after ten o'clock.
Hana thought about how her decision would affect her younger brother.
- consider
more formal, can apply to both people and abstract factors
- care for
focuses on emotional concern
- take into account
formal, emphasizes inclusion in decision-making
- ignore
to deliberately pay no attention to someone's needs
文法句型
think about + someone
think of + someone
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb/1 (HAVE OPINION): this sense focuses on being considerate rather than forming a belief. Often used with 'think of' or 'think about' followed by a person or group.
常見錯誤
4. to hold an intention in your mind about a future action, without being fully dec
to hold an intention in your mind about a future action, without being fully decided yet.
Manuela is thinking of studying nursing at the university in Porto.
think of + -ing for intention
Rodrigo thought about moving to Madrid but decided to stay in Seville.
think about + -ing for considering a plan
Wei is thinking of buying a used car this spring to drive to his new job.
Jabari said he never thought about becoming a teacher until his last year of college.
The couple is thinking of adopting a puppy from the local shelter.
- dismiss
to decide not to consider an idea any further
文法句型
think of + -ing
think about + -ing
用法筆記
To express a firm decision that has been made, use 'plan to' or 'intend to' instead of 'think of/about'. The 'think of/about + -ing' structure means the idea exists in your mind but the plan may not be final.
常見錯誤
5. to actively engage your mind — forming ideas, reasoning through a topic, or reac
to actively engage your mind — forming ideas, reasoning through a topic, or reaching an understanding of something.
The children sat quietly in the library, each one thinking hard about their math problem.
think hard — use the mind with effort
Kenji needs to think through all the options before he chooses a university.
think through — consider all aspects
Stephanie thought about the puzzle for an hour before she found the answer.
The team brainstormed a solution to the software bug.
The chess champion took a deep breath and tried to think clearly as the clock ticked down.
- ignore
to avoid thinking about something
文法句型
think about + noun
think through + noun
think hard
用法筆記
This is the broadest sense of 'think' — it covers any active mental activity. When you want to specify the type of thinking, add an adverb ('think clearly', 'think logically', 'think creatively') or a preposition ('think about a problem', 'think through a plan').
常見錯誤
6. to spend time carefully considering something, especially a decision, from all s
to spend time carefully considering something, especially a decision, from all sides before taking action.
Defne thought the offer over for three days before she signed the contract.
think over — consider carefully before deciding
You should think twice before lending money to someone you have just met.
think twice — be cautious before acting
The board thought long and hard about the merger before voting on it.
Sade took a week to think over the proposal and then asked for changes.
- consider
slightly more formal, often used in business contexts
- weigh up
British English, compares pros and cons
- deliberate
formal, suggests careful formal consideration
- rush
to act without careful thought
文法句型
think + (something) over
think twice
think carefully
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb/5 (USE MIND): verb/5 is about any mental activity (solving, planning, imagining), while this sense specifically means evaluating a decision before committing. Often used with 'over' or in the fixed phrase 'think twice'.
常見錯誤
7. to speak your thoughts as they come into your mind without planning or editing w
to speak your thoughts as they come into your mind without planning or editing what you say first.
„I wonder where I put the keys,„ the old man thought aloud as he searched the kitchen.
think aloud — speak thoughts without planning
The programmer was thinking out loud while debugging the code, and her colleague listened carefully.
think out loud — same as think aloud
Fatima thinks aloud while planning the weekly menu at the restaurant, and her cooks write down her ideas.
Mei stared at the test and thought aloud — 'That volume formula looks wrong' — before erasing her answer.
- mutter
quieter and less clear speech, often not meant to be heard
- talk to oneself
broader — can be planned or unplanned speech
文法句型
think aloud
think out loud
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used with 'aloud' or 'out loud'. 'Think aloud' is slightly more common in British English; 'think out loud' is more common in American English. It is not about a habit of speaking — it describes a specific moment of vocalising thoughts.
常見錯誤
8. to bring a memory, image, or idea into your mind from the past, or to form a pic
to bring a memory, image, or idea into your mind from the past, or to form a picture of something that does not yet exist.
Valentina thought of her grandmother every time she smelled fresh bread.
think of — bring a memory to mind
Can you think of a good name for our new puppy?
think of — produce an idea
Thinking back to his childhood, Mathieu remembered the summers at his uncle's farm.
Try to think what the city will look like in fifty more years.
- forget
to be unable to bring a memory to mind
文法句型
think of + noun
think about + noun
think back to
用法筆記
When used for remembering, 'think of' is more natural than 'think about'. 'Think about' suggests longer reflection. 'Think back to' is a phrasal verb specifically for recalling past events. For imagining, a wh-clause ('think what it would be like') is common.