Page 259 - Basic English Usage

261 346 — 347

346 think

1. Think can mean ‘have an opinion’. In this meaning, it is not used in
progressive tenses.
1 don’t think much of his latest book.
(NOT Hm-netthinking much ...)
Who do you think will win the election?
(NOT Whe are yeotthinking ... 7?)

2 When think has other meanings (for example pian, or consider)
progressive tenses are possible.
I’m thinking of changing my job.
What are you thinking about?

3. When think is used to introduce a negative idea, we usually construct
the sentence / do nof think ..., not/ think ... not... (See 215.7.)
1 don’t think it will rain.
Mary doesn’t think she can come.

[> Note also the structures / think so, | don't think so. (See 311.)

347 = this and that

1 Weuse this to talk about people and things which are close to the
speaker, and for situations that we are in at the moment of speaking.
| don't know what I’m doing in this country.
(NOT ... inthateceuntny)
This is very nice — how do you cook it?
Get this cat off my shoulder.
We use fthatto talk about people and things which are more distant, not
so close.
! don't like that boy you're going out with. (NOT ... this-bey ...)
That smelis nice — is it for lunch?
Get that cat off the piano.

iL