think
Primary: verbCan function as: verb, noun
Can function as a noun through zero derivation (e.g., 'have a think about it')
π Pronunciation
/ΞΈΙͺΕk/
Syllables: think
Stress: single syllable
Common L2 error: pronouncing as /tΙͺΕk/ or /sΙͺΕk/
π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Word Family
| Word Class | Forms |
|---|---|
| Verbs | think, thinks, thinking, thought, rethink |
| Nouns | think, thinking, thought, thinker, thoughtfulness |
| Adjectives | thinking, thoughtful, thoughtless, unthinking |
| Adverbs | thoughtfully, thoughtlessly |
Rich morphological family with both prefixation and suffixation patterns
π Noun Forms
| Singular: | think |
| Plural: | thinks |
Derived Forms
With suffixes: thinker (-er), thinking (-ing)
π― Verb Forms
| Infinitive: | to think |
| Base form: | think |
| 3rd person singular: | thinks |
| Past simple: | thought |
| Past participle: | thought |
| Present participle: | thinking |
| Gerund: | thinking |
Note: Irregular past/past participle form: thought
π Meanings & Definitions
Noun Meanings
1
an act of thinking about something briefly
Countability: countable
“Let me have a think about that offer”
“I'll need a quick think”
Common collocations: quick think, have a think
Synonyms: thought, consideration
informalgeneral
Verb Meanings
1
to use one's mind to consider something, form connected ideas
“I think she's right”
“He thinks about his future”
Synonyms: consider, reflect, contemplate
neutralgeneral
2
to believe or have an opinion
“I think it will rain tomorrow”
“What do you think about this?”
Synonyms: believe, suppose, reckon
neutralgeneral
3
to intend or plan
“I think I'll go to bed early”
“We're thinking of moving house”
Synonyms: plan, intend, mean
neutralgeneral
Adjective Meanings
π§ Verb Patterns
think + that-clause
“I think that she's right”
Note: That is often omitted in informal speech
think + about/of + noun/gerund
“I'm thinking about the future”
Note: Used for consideration or contemplation
think + of/about + gerund
“They're thinking of moving abroad”
Meaning: Used for plans or intentions
Transitivity
Type: both
Passive possible: Yes
Passive examples:
“It was thought that the painting was genuine”
π€ Collocations
Verb + Noun
β οΈ Common Errors
β I think you are rightββ I think that you are right
Omission of 'that' in formal contexts
Common for: Many languages don't require conjunction
Low impact
β I think about to goββ I'm thinking about going
Incorrect verb pattern after 'think about'
β What do you thinking?ββ What do you think?
Incorrect use of -ing form after do/does
π Etymology
Origin: Old English 'ΓΎencan'
Original meaning: “to conceive in the mind, consider”
Development: From Proto-Germanic *thankijan
Related words in other languages: German 'denken', Dutch 'denken'
π Register & Frequency
Frequency: top 100 words
Spoken: very common
Written: very common
Academic: common
Business: common
Formality: neutral