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🧑‍🤝‍🧑 To remember 💡 To invent 🤔 To consider 🗺️ To choose mentally
to think of

to think of

∞ 1.0
Keep a person or thing in your mind when making plans
  • phrasal verb
  • /θɪŋk ʌv/
translation icon : tener en cuenta
  • Stop electing people that don't think of this country first.
  • thinking of quitting

I think I would have to think of other ways.

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Examples

  • She doesn't seem to think of him too much.

    Megyn Kelly

  • I work more efficiently with others and can more readily think of creative solutions to difficult problems.

    Academic text (2012)

  • I want you to stop and think of something you really want.

  • And who will you be thinking of when you speak tonight?

  • I suppose you have to think of everything in your business.

    Double Indemnity (1944)

  • If you score less than 7, think of another issue that gives you a higher score.

    Academic text (2012)

  • A Chinese proverb: "When you drink water, think of the spring from which it comes."

    Academic text (2011)

  • Take notes of everyone you see, and find out what they think of tonight's concert.

    Academic text (2013)

  • Think of all the possibilities that await you.

    Theater Camp (2023)

  • When planning the event, you should always think of the guests' preferences first.

Synonyms

to think about
vsto think of
∞ 1.0

To give attention to something in your mind

stays more as a simple candidate idea rather than deep reflection
to remember
vsto think of
∞ 1.0

To keep something in your mind so you do not forget it

adds holding something as an option for later consideration
to keep in mind
vsto think of
240 3.0

To remember something when making decisions or thinking about it

focuses on holding something for attention or consideration
to have in mind
vsto think of
224 3.2

To think of a certain person, thing, or idea

considers things more generally rather than a single specific option
to contemplate
vsto think of
186 4.8

To think deeply about something for a long time

is less intense, serving as a casual option to consider
to entertain
vsto think of
82 4.2

Think about an idea or possibility

is more about keeping something for attention or consideration
to harbor
vsto think of
  • US
68 6.6

To keep a thought or feeling in your mind for a long time

is more open and practical, used for attention or consideration
to bear in mind
vsto think of
43 3.4

Remember something when you decide or think about it

keeps it as a possible point to remember instead of a fixed rule
to toy with
vsto think of
29 4.5

To think about an idea or plan without deciding

means holding an idea as a real possibility rather than casual play

Antonyms

to forget
∞ 1.8

Decide not to think about something

to disregard
119 3.9

Ignore something or someone on purpose

How Considered

to consider
∞ 1.1
to think of
∞ 1.0
to remember
∞ 1.0
to notice
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

think of infinitive
thinking of present participle
thinks of third person singular
thought of past
thought of past participle

Morphology

think + of

The sense 'to select or choose something mentally' is directly derivable from combining 'think' (to form a mental representation) with the preposition 'of', which marks the target or object of thought; the composition follows a regular verb + preposition pattern rather than an idiomatic shift. This construction is cross-linguistically common (e.g. Spanish 'pensar en', French 'penser à'), so an average B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Think of can be seen as keeping someone or something on a tiny mental list, like a note you carry in your head to check later. That's why it means 'to keep in mind' for attention or as a possibility.