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Thread: think about or think of?

  1. #1
    ScarlettBegoni's Avatar
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    Question think about or think of?

    Hello.

    I've got a problem with using this two:
    think of / think about

    If someone is really on my mind -> I think about him. ??
    If I want to know someone's opinion. -> What do you think about it? ??
    When I can't make up my mind, if yes or no and I intend to tell somebody later. -> I will think of it and I will tell you later. ??

    I'm not really sure...

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    Mannysteps is offline Member
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    Default Re: think about or think of?

    Not a teacher

    Consider this:

    Think of = A momentary thought

    Think about = Dwelling on a thought

    Waiting for confirmation of my opinion,

    M.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: think about or think of?

    Quote Originally Posted by ScarlettBegoni View Post
    Hello.

    I've got a problem with using thisese t*wo:
    think of / think about

    If someone is really on my mind -> I think about him. ??
    If I want to know someone's opinion. -> What do you think about it? ?? 'But 'of' is also possible:
    'What do you think about paying for English lessons?' [asking for extended thoughts]
    'What do you think of the government's decision to withdraw support for English lessons?' [Inviting a brief response, such as "It's stupid' ]
    ?
    When I can't make up my mind, if yes or no and I intend to tell somebody later. -> I will think of about it and I will tell you later. ??
    But if someone asks you a question and you know that you know the answer, but can't remember it at that moment, you could say something like 'Carry on, I'm sure I'll think of it in a minute.'

    I'm not really sure...
    Quote Originally Posted by Mannysteps View Post
    Not a teacher

    Consider this:

    Think of = A momentary thought

    Think about = Dwelling on a thought

    Waiting for confirmation of my opinion,

    M.
    I'm thinking about it!

    b

    PS * I know the difference between 'this' and 'these' is hard for some people to hear, but it's not just a slightly different vowel; it's a different sibilant as well: /ðɪs/ but /ði:z/ .

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    Default Re: think about or think of?

    I have a very nice postcard in front of me with a face of a baboon seeing at me with their finger near their mouth on it and there is a signature on the bottom of the postcard saying, 'Thinking of you!'.

    Here is the author's (or baboon's ?) explanation on the flip side of the card:
    'I was just deliberating on Darwinism - the bloke who had a theory on the origin of species and somehow I started thinking of you - may be we're closer than you think!'

    I would use here about. What would you use?

    P.S. The photo is so nice that it's a pity I can't attach it right here.
    Last edited by AlexAD; 07-Jun-2011 at 18:22.

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    Default Re: think about or think of?

    Yes - that's part of the joke. 'Thinking of you' is a passing thought that people send when they're on holiday; when you read the back you find out that it means 'Thinking about you [that is, about your evolution]'.

    b
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    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Default Re: think about or think of?

    Thanks :)

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