1.时态问题
(1)表示“认为”或“在……看来”时,不用于进行时态;但表示“考虑”“思考”等,可用于进行时态。如:
I think it’s going to rain.我想要下雨了。
有时为了使语气更委婉或更带有试探性,可用一般过去时或过去进行时形式(但并不表示过去意义)。如:
I thought you might like something to read.我想也许你想要读点什么。
(2)用于过去完成时,表示未曾实现的想法或意图,可译为“原认为”“本来认为”。如:
I had thought that he would come to help us.我原认为他会来帮助我们的。
2.否定问题
当think表示“认为”,且主语为第一人称时,若其后跟一个表示否定概念的宾语从句,通常将否定转移到主句上(当然若将否定放在从句也不算错,只是听起来较生硬)。如:
I don’t think she’s really fit for the job.我认为她并不真正适合这项工作。
在下列情况通常无需发生否定转移:
(1)当think有副词修饰时。如:
I really think that he will not help us.我的确认为他不会帮我们。
(2)当think前有表示强调的助动词do时。如:
I do think that you are not right.我的确认为是你不对。
(3)当think不是以一般现在时形式出现时(如是一般过去时、过去进行时、过去完成时等)。如:
I thought you hadn’t read it.我认为你没有读它呢。
I had thought he couldn’t pass the exam.我原认为他考试不会及格的。
(4)当本意是要否定主句时。如:
We didn’t think we’d be so late.我们没想到会那么迟。
(5)当think与其他动词并列使用时。如:
I think and hope that I’m not disturbing you too much.我认为同时也希望我没有打扰你太多。
(6)当从句的否定构成某种特殊句型时。如:
I think that he cannot do the work too well.我认为这项工作他干得越出色越好。
3.询问看法
询问对方看法时,可用What do you think of…或How do you like…,但是习惯上不说How do you think of…或What do you like…等。比较:
你认为他什么时候回来?
正:When do you think he will come back?
误:Do you think when he will come back?
4.表示打算
表示打算做些某事,通常用think of doing sth。如:
I’ve been thinking of changing my job.我一直想换个工作。
偶尔也用think to do sth(不算普通)。如:
They think to influence the voters.他们打算影响选民。
但think to do sth用于否定句表示“没想到”的意思则属普通用法。如:
I didn’t think to see you here.没想到在这儿见到你。
另外,用于过去时或过去完成时,表达本想做某事而实际上没做成时,后接不定式也属正常用法。如:
I thought to leave earlier.我本想要早点出发的。
5.用于特殊疑问句
与疑问词连用时,要将疑问词置于句首。如:
你认为他在这里会呆多久?
正:How long do you think he will stay here?
误:Do you think how long he will stay here?
6.在口语表达中的用法
口语中的Just think…与To think…均表示惊奇,但后者往往还有没想到或遗憾、可惜等意。如:
Just think how much money he has spent!你想想他花了多少钱吧。
To think that...
没想到,竟然 unexpectedly
To think that he would be so mean!真没想到,他竟然这么卑鄙!
think through(v.+adv.)
思考后得出结论 think about until one reaches a conclusion
Now that we've thought the matter through, can we come to a decision?既然这问题已经考虑周到,我们可以作出决定了吗?
think out(v.+adv.)
想出; 了解后果 find out by thinking; understand what would come at last
John wanted to quit school, but he thought out the matter and decided not to.约翰想退学,但考虑到后果便决定不退了。
think back(v.+adv.)
回想,回忆 recollect; recall; call to mind
Thinking back, it must have been before the war.回想一下,那一定是在战前。
think aloud
自言自语 speak one's thoughts without addressing anyone
“I wish I had more money for Christmas presents.”Father thought aloud.“要是我有更多的钱买圣诞礼物就好了”,父亲自言自语地说。
think ahead
考虑将来,想得长远 consider the future
Thinking ahead, we might be wise to build the new factory now before prices rise again.想得长远点儿,趁物价还没回升我们现在建新工厂或许是明智的。
think about(v.+prep.)
1.考虑…; 琢磨… consider seriously before making a decision
I'm interested in buying your house, but I'd like more time to think about it before making a decision.我有兴趣买你那栋房子,不过我要再考虑考虑,然后再决定。