Thinkmeaning ‘have an opinion’
We can usethinkto talk about having an opinion or idea. In this case, we don’t usually use the continuous form:
Ithink(that) she’s a very selfish person.
Not:I’m thinking (that) she’s a very selfish person.
Ryanthinkswe should leave by 8 am at the latest.
A:What do youthinkabout this frame?
B:To be honest, I don’tthinkit suits the picture.
Thinkmeaning ‘make plans or decisions’
We usethink oforthink aboutto talk about making plans and decisions. We can use it in the continuous form (thinking of/about) plus the -ingform of the verb:
We’re thinkingofmoving out of London and buying a small cottage in the country.
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Thinkandthink ofmeaning ‘remember’
I went upstairs to get something, but when I got there, I couldn’tthinkwhat it was that I wanted!
Can anyonethink ofthe name of the first dog that went into space?
It’s so embarrassing when you meet someone and you can’tthink oftheir name.
Think aboutmeaning ‘consider something’
A:Are you going to change jobs?
B:I’m not sure. I’mthinking aboutit.
Softening
In speaking, we often useI thinkto soften what we say. It usually goes in end position:
It’s too expensive,I think.
Too many people are talking in the office,I think. It’s difficult to work at times.
Uncertainty
When we useI thinkto express uncertainty, it usually goes at the beginning:
I thinkI gave the file to Holly on Monday.
I thinkyour keys are on the table.
Don’t think: expressing uncertainty
When we usethinkto express uncertainty, we usually putnotwiththinkrather than in the clause which comes afterwards:
Idon’t thinkwe have enough people interested in going on the trip.(preferred toI think we don’t have enough people interested in going on the trip.)
Shedidn’t thinkit was necessary to give the taxi driver a tip.(preferred toShe thought it wasn’t necessary to give the taxi driver a tip.)