Learn natural English collocations. Are you eager to sound more like a native speaker and less like a textbook?
Today, we’re unlocking the secret to speaking English fluently with essential phrases using the word ‘Think’. Whether it’s deciding what to say in a meeting or expressing your opinions confidently, mastering these phrases will transform your English conversations.
Listen to the podcast Speak Better English with Harry or watch it on YouTube at Learn English with Harry. englishclass101
List of collocations
Natural English Collocations with Think
Harry
So this advanced English lesson is about collocations with ‘think.’ I’ve got ten of them. Okay. I’m going to go through them one by one.
And as always, you know by now what I do. I’m going to go back, give you some examples, show you how you can use them, and then repeat them at the end.
And let’s hopefully you’ll be able to put some of them into practice.
improve english on a budget
Online English Courses from €7.99
think hard
Meaning: to concentrate very strongly or use a lot of effort to remember or solve something
Examples:
Emma thought hard to recall last week’s meeting, then suddenly lit up with a Eureka moment as she remembered.
Just think hard. Where were you? What happened? Then we’ll be able to work it out.
think badly of/about
Meaning: to have a low or poor opinion of someone or something, often because you believe they have done something wrong or are not good in some way
Examples:
Aww, don’t think badly of him. He is so busy these days. He’ll probably come around later and apologise.
Seeing the negative comments about Alex online, remember not to think badly of him; he’s been dealing with a lot lately and those posts don’t tell the whole story.
It’s important not to think badly of them without knowing the full context of their actions.
Natural English Collocations with Think
think out loud
Meaning: to say what you are thinking at the moment, speaking your thoughts instead of keeping them in your head
Examples:
In the middle of the meeting, Harry started thinking out loud; I think he’s lost it.
It was only an idea. I was thinking out loud. It’s not going to work.
think twice/again
Meaning: to consider something very carefully before making a decision
Examples:
You need to think twice before you buy that car. To me, it looks really expensive.
You should think again before you actually hand over the money. Why don’t you get it checked?
Perhaps you need to think again about it. Why don’t you give them the answer on Tuesday?
think positive/positively
Meaning: to have an optimistic attitude, focusing on the good aspects of a situation
Examples:
I know the cost of living and energy prices are high, but I’m trying to think positively.
Out of bad situations, good will always emerge. Think positively.
book your trial English Lesson
think straight
Meaning: to think clearly and logically, especially in stressful situations
Examples:
I just can’t think straight today. I didn’t sleep well last night thinking about that marketing plan.
Now, think straight. Where were you when you put the car keys down?
There’s too much noise, I can’t think straight. I need to get away from here, I need some silence.
think for yourself
Meaning: to avoid doing things that other people tell you to do
Examples:
Why can’t you think for yourself for once? Why do you have to do everything that they do?
Why can’t you just think for yourself? Is it really what you want to do?
You’ll soon learn how to think for yourself. When you get to 13 or 14, you’ll make up your own mind.
think carefully
Meaning: to consider something with a lot of attention and thought to make a good or correct decision
Examples:
In your IELTS test, think carefully before you answer, to make sure it’s your best response.
Before making any financial decisions, it’s wise to think carefully about the potential risks and benefits.
We’d like you to think very carefully. What happened on the night in question?
Natural English Collocations with Think
think big
Meaning: to aim for high goals or have ambitious plans, without limiting oneself to small or immediate possibilities
Examples:
Think big! If you keep thinking big, you will achieve it one day.
Don’t think so big, it’ll not happen. You will be disappointed with everything.
Why do you think big all the time? Why are you not happy with what you’ve got?
I dread/hate/shudder to think
Meaning: you’re really scared or worried about what could happen
Examples:
I dread to think what the boss is going to say when I tell him this account was closed.
I hate to think what he’s likely to say when I give him the news that I crashed the car.
I shudder to think what people are going to say when they get their winter electricity bill.
I dread to think what the traffic is going to be like if it snows overnight.
So here are 10 natural English collocations with ‘think.’
So you need to practice those. Make sure you can understand them. They’re good collocations. They’re good ways to practise your English.
As always, if you don’t understand it, you know the drill. Come back to me at www.englishlessonviaskype.com and I’ll give you some more examples. As always, I appreciate you watching, listening and viewing everything.
Join me again for the next lesson. This is Harry saying goodbye.
speak better English with Harry podcast- episode 469
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
English Expressions Related to Sleep
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
