Using Think
December 19th, 2011 in Improve English
When think means ‘have an opinion’, it cannot be used in the progressive form.
‘What do you think of my hair color?’ ‘Frankly, my dear, it is a disaster.’ (NOT What are you thinking of my hair color?)
I don’t think that we will win the election. (NOT I am not thinking that we will win the election.)
When think means ‘plan’ or ‘consider’, progressive forms are used.
What are you thinking about? (NOT What do you think about?)
After think, we use an –ing form, not an infinitive.
I am thinking of writing a novel. (NOT I am thinking to write a novel.)
In a very formal style, think can be followed by an object + (to be) + complement.
I thought her interesting.
We thought it intriguing.
We thought him an idiot.
To be is sometimes used before the complement.
We thought him to be a fool.
In a less formal style, we use that-clauses after think.
I thought that she was interesting.
We thought that it was intriguing.
We thought that he was an idiot.
We do not usually use think to introduce indirect questions.
I was wondering if you could lend me a pound. (NOT I was thinking if you could lend me a pound.)
 Business English
            	Business English Common Mistakes
            	Common Mistakes Creative Writing
            	Creative Writing English for children
            	English for children English Games
            	English Games English Grammar
            	English Grammar English Learning
            	English Learning English Quiz
            	English Quiz English Teaching
            	English Teaching ESL
            	ESL Essay Writing
            	Essay Writing Expressions
            	Expressions IELTS
            	IELTS Improve English
            	Improve English Letter Writing
            	Letter Writing Online Jobs
            	Online Jobs Punctuation
            	Punctuation Reviews
            	Reviews Style Guide
            	Style Guide Test Preparation
            	Test Preparation TOEFL
            	TOEFL Uncategorized
            	Uncategorized Vocabulary
            	Vocabulary Words
            	Words Writing
            	Writing