Is the word thinking a verb

• #1

Hi there,

The verb «to think» can be either a stative verb or an adction verb, however it changes its meaning. For example:

1) I think Greece is a nice conutry expresses our beliefs, convictions, about Greece, right?>

2) I’m thinking of going to Greece here «think» expresses considering a possibility of going to Greece, right?

BUT! What about the following sentences:

3) She thinks about/of Peter all the time.
4) She is thinking about/of Peter all the time.
5) She is thinking about Peter (now)
6) She thinks about Peter (now)

Which ones are correct, and why?

Thanks, best wishes,

• #2

Hi there,

The verb «to think» can be either a stative verb or an adction verb, however it changes its meaning. For example:

1) I think Greece is a nice conutry expresses our beliefs, convictions, about Greece, right?>

2) I’m thinking of going to Greece here «think» expresses considering a possibility of going to Greece, right?

BUT! What about the following sentences:

3) She thinks about/of Peter all the time.
4) She is thinking about/of Peter all the time.
5) She is thinking about Peter (now)
6) She thinks about Peter (now)

Which ones are correct, and why?

Thanks, best wishes,

Hi,
3) She thinks about Peter all the time is synonymic to She always thinks about Peter-the verb «think» here states a fact, this is why Present Simple is used.
4)However, this variant is correct, too. We can use Present Continuous with «always», «constantly», «all the time» to stress the fact that we are really annoyed by something ( a different shift in meaning). It’s equal to «He’s always complaining about his life» (he complains about it far too often than other people do)
5) She is thinking about Peter now (Pr. Cont. is used to underline the process that is going on at the moment of speaking)
6) Wrong. The key word is «now» tha indicates the usage of Present Continuous.

All the best,
Maria

• #3

4)However, this variant is correct, too. We can use Present Continuous with «always», «constantly», «all the time» to stress the fact that we are really annoyed by something ( a different shift in meaning). It’s equal to «He’s always complaining about his life» (he complains about it far too often than other people do)
If your boyfriend says to you: «I am thinking about you all the time», does it mean that he complains about himself to you?:shock:

All the best,
Maria

a

Last edited: Apr 17, 2008

• #4

While considering «She is thinking about/of Peter all the time» i had the following context in mind:It’s someone else’s opinion about her, her behaviour probably annoys them as she can think of Peter only, and nobody or nothing else. And i cited the «He is always complaining about his life» example to show other similar contexts that this works in. But it doesn’t mean that the first example is equal to the last in terms of semantics.

I admit the context you’ve supplied, exists, too. In this case the use of Pr.Cont. definitely has a positive connotation, and implies the ongoing process.

Tdol

Editor, UsingEnglish.com

• #5

always & present progressive doesn’t have to express anoyance, though it often does; it basically just has to be something worth highlighting as out of the ordinary.

What is a verb?

Physical Verbs – Definition and Examples

Physical verbs are action verbs. They describe specific physical actions. If you can create a motion with your body or use a tool to complete an action, the word you use to describe it is most likely a physical verb. For example, Joe sat in his chair, the dog breathes quickly after she chases her ball, and should we vote in the election? Even when the action isn’t very active, if the action is done by the body or a tool, consider it a physical verb.

Physical Verb Examples

The physical verb examples in the following sentences are in bold for easy identification.

• Let’s run to the corner and back.
• I hear the train coming.
• Call me when you’re finished with class.

Mental Verbs – Definition and Examples

Mental verbs have meanings that are related to concepts such as discovering, understanding, thinking, or planning. In general, a mental verb refers to a cognitive state.

Mental Verb – Definition and Examples

Mental verbs have meanings that are related to concepts such as discovering, understanding, thinking, or planning. In general, a mental verb refers to a cognitive state.

Mental Verb Examples

The mental verb examples in the following sentences are in bold for easy identification.

• I know the answer.
• She recognized me from across the room.
• Do you believe everything people tell you?

States of Being Verbs – Definition and Examples

Also known as linking verbs, state of being verbs describe conditions or situations that exist. State of being verbs are inactive since no action is being performed. These verbs, forms of to be, such as am, is, are, are usually complemented by adjectives.

States of Being Verb Examples

The state of being verbs in the following sentences are in bold for easy identification.

• I am a student.
• We are circus performers.
• Please is quiet.

Types of Verbs

There are many types of verbs. In addition to the main categories of physical verbs, mental verbs, and state of being verbs, there are several other types of verbs. In fact, there are more than ten different types of verbs that are grouped together by function.

List of all Verb Types

Action Verbs

Action verbs express specific actions and are used any time you want to show action or discuss someone doing something.  It’s important to remember that the action does not have to be physical.

Action verb examples:

1. Run
2. Dance
3. Slide
4. Jump
5. Think
6. Do
7. Go
8. Stand
9. Smile
10. Listen.

The action verb examples in the following sentences are in bold for easy identification.

I run faster than David.

He does it well.

She thinks about poetry all day long

Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs are action verbs that always express doable activities that relate or affect someone or something else. These other things are generally direct objects, nouns or pronouns that are affected by the verb, though some verbs can also take an indirect object, such as show, take, and make. In a sentence with a transitive verb, someone or something receives the action of the verb.

Transitive verb examples:

1. Love
2. Respect
3. Tolerate
4. Believe
5. Maintain.

The transitive verb examples in the following sentences are in bold for easy identification.

Gary ate the cookies.

The transitive verb is ate, Gary is the subject, because it is Gary who is doing the eating, and the cookies are the direct object, because it is the cookies that are being eaten. Other examples:

He kicked John.

John punches him.

They sold the tickets.

Examples of verbs used with both direct and indirect objects:

They sell him the tickets.

In this sentence, the tickets are the direct object while him is the indirect object.

Mary baked her mother a pie.

In this sentence, a pie is the direct object while her mother is the indirect object.

Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive verbs are action verbs that always express doable activities. They are different from transitive verbs because there is no direct object following an intransitive verb.

Intransitive verb examples:

1. Walk
2. Laugh
3. Cough
4. Play
5. Run

The intransitive verb examples in the following sentences are in bold for easy identification.

We travelled to London.

The intransitive verb is travelled, the subject is we, because we are doing the travelling, but London is not a direct object because London is not receiving the action of the verb. Other examples:

I sneeze in the morning.

He arrived with moments to spare.

Kathryn sat away from the others.

John eats before leaving for school.

The last example shows that the verb eats can be both transitive and intransitive depending on whether there is a direct object or not. If the sentence read: John eats the cookies before leaving for school, eats would be transitive as there is a direct object – the cookies.

By the way, some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive. These verbs include: start, leave, change, live, stop.

Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs are also known as helping verbs and are used together with a main verb to show the verb’s tense or to form a question or negative. Common examples of auxiliary verbs include have, might, will. These auxiliary verbs give some context to the main verb, for example, letting the reader know when the action took place.

Auxiliary verb examples:

1. Would
2. Should
3. Do
4. Can
5. Did
6. Could
7. May

The auxiliary verb examples in the following sentences are in bold for easy identification.

I will go home after football practice.

The auxiliary verb will is telling us that the action of the main verb go is going to take place in the future – after football practice has ended. If the auxiliary verb will was removed, we get the sentence:

I go home after football practice.

In this case, there is no definite time frame for the action. The sentence suggests that going home after football practice is just something the subject I generally does. Other examples:

I may dance with you later.

We did consider Bryan’s feelings.

Jenny has spoken her final words.

In addition, we can sometimes use the auxiliary very before the pronoun to make a question:

Might you dance with me later?

Did we consider Bryan’s feelings?

Has Jenny spoken her final words?

Also, auxiliary verbs are used to help form negative statements, with the use of words like not and never. These will usually split the auxiliary and main verbs:

I may never dance with you again.

We did not consider Bryan’s feelings.

Jenny has not spoken her final words.

Stative Verbs

Stative verbs can be recognized because they express a state rather than an action. They typically relate to thoughts, emotions, relationships, senses, states of being, and measurements. The best way to think about stative verbs is that they are verbs that describe things that are not actions. The stative verbs are all expressing a state: A state of doubting, a state of believing, a state of wanting. These states of being are often temporary.

The stative verb examples in the following sentences are in bold for easy identification.

The doctor disagrees with your analysis.

Disagree is a stative verb here, as it describes the doctor’s state of being – disagreement.

John doubts the doctor’s opinion.

I believe the doctor is right.

She wanted another opinion.

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that are used to express abilities, possibilities, permissions, and obligations.

Modal verb examples:

1. Can
2. Must
3. May
4. Should
5. Would

The modal verb examples in the following sentences are in bold for easy identification.

He can shoot a three-point shot easily.

The auxiliary verb can is expressing an ability, suggesting that shooting a three-point shot is a skill the subject possesses.

Please note that in the case of should and must in the examples below, the modal verbs are expressing obligations, whereas would and may are expressing possibilities.

I should go home.

You must not delay.

Sally would not recommend the sushi.

David may be late.

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs aren’t single words; instead, they are combinations of words that are used together to take on a different meaning to that of the original verb. There are many examples of phrasal verbs, some of which have colloquial meanings, such as make up, hand in, bring up, point out, look forward to. Each time the verb takes the extra word(s) it takes on a new meaning. For example, make without the up expresses that something is being created, whereas with make up, the suggestion is that there are some lies or a fantastical element to the story and make out can mean either to grasp or see something difficult, or to kiss passionately.

Phrasal verb examples:

1. Run out
2. Go all out
3. Make out
4. Hand out
5. Bring out
6. Face up
7. Think through

The phrasal verb examples in the following sentences are in bold for easy identification.

Mary looked forward to her high school reunion.

The verb looked has taken on forward to to become a phrasal verb meaning to be excited about or eagerly await something.

He brought up the same points again and again.

Leroy handed in the wallet to the police.

I make up stories all the time.

She pointed out Donald’s mistake.

Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs are those that don’t take on the regular spelling patterns of past simple and past participle verbs. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of irregular verbs in the English language. But don’t worry, while many are used often, the majority are not in common usage – or if they are, you will use them so often you will learn them quickly. Some of the most common irregular verbs include: say, make, go, take, come, know and see.

Irregular verb examples:

1. Eat
2. Think 
3. Bring
4. Hold
5. Bear
6. Buy
7. Lay
8. Catch
9. Drive
10. Paid
11. Feel
12. Redo

The irregular verb examples in the following sentences are in bold for easy identification.

I take my time when I go to the shops (present tense)

I took my time when I went to the shops (past tense)

Julie makes cake for the classroom (present tense)

Julie made a cake for the classroom (past tense)

She sees a silhouette shaped like a man in the window (present tense)

She saw a silhouette shaped like a man in the window (past tense)

We come to Aunt Jane’s for Thanksgiving each year (present tense)

We came to Aunt Jane’s for Thanksgiving each year (past tense).

You should also remember that auxiliary verbs ‘do’ and ‘have’ are also irregular verbs:

I do agree.

He does it often.

We have done our homework early.

They do their homework on Fridays.

I have a suspicion about Fran

Fran has a devious look.

We have no money left.

They have had a cough twice this winter.

• #1

Hello, Let’s discuss.

Here’s the situation:

We’re having our math lesson.
The teacher says to me: What do you think?
If I answer:
1. I think the answer is A. (I thought about it. And I got the answer. I believe the answer is A and I feel quite certain about it.)
2. I’m thinking whether the answer is A or not. (I’m still thinking about it. I’m still trying to find out whether A is the correct answer.)

Am I right?
Please comment,
thanks!

Last edited: May 9, 2013

• #2

«What do you think?» means «What is your opinion?», so 1. would be a suitable answer.

2. Would require an answer like «I haven’t made up my mind» or «I’m still thinking (about it)». «I’m thinking whether …» is not the way an English-speaker would phrase it; «I’m considering whether …» would be fine.

• #3

Could you please explain a little bit more about why I can’t use ‘think’, but to use ‘consider’?
Thanks!

And also, as you said:
«What do you think» means What is your opinion.

Then why do we use: «What are you thinking» when someone’s deep in thoughts?

• #4

We usually think about something. «What are you thinking (about)?» I might even say «I’m thinking about whether to use answer A or answer B.»

• #5

In the question form the ‘about’ is optional, but in answer form, we have to add the ‘about’ in order to have to meaning—consider. Right?

Thanks?

• #6

To make it clearer,

«What do you think?» is asking someone’s opinion, so the meaning is slightly different.

«What are you thinking (about)» means «what thoughts are in your head at the moment, what are you going over in your mind?»
«I’m thinking of you», «I’m thinking about my holiday next month», «I»m thinking (about) how lucky I am to be here». There are several possibilities, but I personally wouldn’t use «I’m thinking whether the answer is A or not».

I hope it isn’t too confusing, but I could say «I’m thinking of answering A .» (I am considering the possibility of answering A).

• #7

Thank you!
When the about is (), it means we can choose whether to say it out or not, right?

• #8

I hope I don’t complicate anything when I say that «I’m thinking whether the answer is A or B» is actually used by some native speakers (including me). I wouldn’t call it the most elegant of constructions, but it’s definitely used, and what it means is «I’m trying to decide if the answer is A or B.»

• #9

Sentence 1 answers the question asked. Sentence 2 gives an excuse for not answering the question (yet).

• #10

The use of the verb ‘think’ in sentence (2) is not impossible, but in my view not good.
There are two reasons for this, one general, one particular.

The general reason is that there are much better expressions to introduce the question in this case.
‘Consider’, ‘debate’, ‘work out’, ‘try to decide’ or even ‘think about’ are a few. All these are better than plain ‘think’.

The particular reason is that while the word ‘think’ has many meanings, the teacher has used it here with one clear meaning (‘What is your opinion?’).
If, in answer, you are not going to respond with the verb ‘think’ in the same sense (because you have not formed an opinion), then it is better to avoid the word. Otherwise you may give the impression that you are trying to give an answer in the teacher’s terms when in fact you are not doing that. It would appear misleading: perhaps intentionally misleading.