What Is The Past Tense Of Think?
Long answer short: think past tense is THOUGHT, which can be spelled T-H-O-U-G–H-T. Its past participle looks the same as its past tense form.
Like other irregular verbs, such as the verb seek and the verb set, the past tense for think does not stick to the ED-suffixes grammar rules.
We’re here to provide other verb forms via the table below. Take a glimpse of it right now!
| Base/Infinitive Form (V1) | think |
| Present Form/3rd Person/Singular Form | thinks |
| Past Form (V2) | thought |
| Past Participle Form (V3) | thought |
| Present Participle/Gerund | thinking |
Take a peek at this all-rounded video for not only the past tense of think but also other aspects. It reveals how to use this verb in the sentences correctly:
Can You Pronounce Think Correctly?
See the second table depicting the pronunciations of all verb forms of “think” in American English and British accents:
|
Form of word |
Pronunciation |
|
|
British English |
American English | |
| think | /θɪŋk/ |
/θɪŋk/ |
|
thinks |
/θɪŋks/ | /θɪŋks/ |
| thought | /θɔːt/ |
/θɔːt/ |
|
thought |
/θɔːt/ | /θɔːt/ |
| thinking | /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ |
/ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ |
Go For The Definitions Of “Think”?
Instead of navigating you to search the word in an online dictionary, we’ve rounded up all meanings and corresponding examples!
- To have something come into someone’s mind or remember something.
- I thought about where I had put my home keys.
- By far, my ex-girlfriend has thought about where she placed her notebooks.
2. To plan about something or intend something.
- She thought in terms of about 900 guests at the events.
- Up to now, the professors have thought of the best methods to train all undergraduates.
3. To make what you say sound more polite or less definite.
- Thirty guests were okay; she would have thought about this.
- I would have thought that your plan could be an excellent resolution.
4. To show that you are surprised or angry (in a question).
- What did you think you were doing?
- Has she already thought about why she was trying to do it?
5. To think in a particular way or subject.
- I am thinking of the best ways to earn money.
- Melaine has thought of tactics to win her ex back as soon as possible.
6. To expect something.
- My mother thought he would be grateful for her help.
- My uncle had thought that this beautiful girl would appreciate his courage.
7. To imagine something or to form an idea.
- He had thought how great it was when he met his besties turning back from overseas.
8. To have words, ideas, or images in your mind.
- At that time, I was thinking about what time it was.
- I had thought about what my mother would prepare for that dinner.
9. To consider something, to try to sort out hassles, to form connected ideas, and so on.
- The government thought sparingly about the hurdles recently.
- The departments had thought of minimizing the adverse effects on financially disadvantaged people.
10. To have a particular idea or opinion about someone/something or to believe something.
- It was once thought that the sun traveled around the Earth.
- Up to now, it has been thought that Mina primarily created trouble for her co-worker.
Think In Past Tense: Vocabulary Quiz
FAQs
What Are Some Idioms With “Think” In The English Language?
- Think you own the place: To behave confidently that annoys other people.
- I/I’d like to think: To say that you believe or hope something is true.
- I thought as much: That is what I suspected or expected.
- Let me see/think | let’s see: Used when you are trying or thinking about something.
- Come to think of it: When you suddenly realize or remember something important.
- Great minds think alike: To say that you and another one must be very clever as you agree on something or have had the same idea.
- I don’t think so: To say firmly that you don’t agree with something or something impossible.
- If/when you think about it: To draw attention to something not obvious.
- Think better of it/of doing something: To decide not to do something after thinking further about it.
- Think on your feet: To be able to react and think about things effectively and quickly without preparation.
- Think out of the box: To think about how to do something new or different.
- Think for yourself: To form opinions and make decisions without relying on others.
- Think again: To consider a condition again and perhaps change your intention or idea.
- Think/speak ill of somebody: To say or think wrong about somebody.
- Think nothing of something/of doing something: Consider an activity not unusual or complicated.
- Think nothing of it: Used as a polite response when someone says sorry to you or thanks you.
- See/think fit: To consider it acceptable or suitable to do something or to decide.
- Think out loud/aloud: To say/speak up your thoughts.
- Think better of somebody: To take a higher opinion of someone.
Past Participle Of Think: What Is It?
The past participle form of “think” is thought, like its past tense. It makes sense if you grab the verb conjugations as well.
Is Think A Verb?
No. “Think” is not just a verb but also a noun, depending on your context.
His name is Benjamin Essek – The founder of Grammar Wiki. He is an English native speaker and has joined many English classes, learning communities to support other people with this common language as well.