by R. S. Karunaratne

Use 'think' meaningfully

'Think' is an irregular verb:

Present tense: Think

Past Tense: Thought

Past Participle: Thought

'Think' means to 'have an opinion, idea, or belief. It can also mean "consider'.

1. 'Think' is used to talk about using your mind.

Silence please. I'm trying to think

What do you think of this plan?

I think he should resign.

I cannot think of anything at this time.

2. 'Think' is used to talk about imagining or remembering things.

I cannot think of a better place to stay tonight.

Can you think of a title for my book?

3. 'Think' is used to talk about opinions.

I think that you know all about her.

Do you think our plans will work?

My parents think I'm wasting my time.

Some people think that they are always correct.

I don't care what you think of me.

4. 'Think' is used to talk about making plans.

I have never thought of settling down in a foreign country.

She is thinking of opening a fashion shop.

5. 'Think' is used to talk about making a mental effort.

I'm trying to think where I left my car keys.

Some people cannot think what to do with their money.

6. 'Think' is used to say what is believed but not known for certain.

The school is thought to have produced many brilliant students.

It is thought that our new neighbour is a retired judge.

7. 'Think' is frequently used with certain adverbials.

Think carefully before you tender your resignation.

Honestly, I think he is a reliable person.

She thought long and hard before buying a second-hand car.

Personally I think the government will last for a long time.

She really thought that it was a gold bangle.

8. 'Think' is used in many phrasal verbs.

I am trying to think back to the last occasion we met. (remember)

I'll think it over. (consider)

I don't think you have thought the whole project through. (Thought about it thoroughly)

I feel that you've thought the whole story up. (invented)

9. Set phrases

I think, he will win. ( I am not sure)

A: Has everybody come?

B: I think so. (less forceful).

A: Has the train arrived?

B: I don't think so. (less forceful)

The degree course will take three to four years, I should think. (not sure)

Who would have thought - Lionel was so stupid? (surprise)

Just think: by this time tomorrow

I'll be in Chennai (excitement)

I was thinking: Would you like to work for me? (suggestion)

I am so sorry for what I said. I wasn't thinking. ( to apologize)

Think twice before keeping a monkey as a pet.

Matching words with their meanings

Match the word in column A with its correct definition in column B by writing the letter of that definition in the space provided.

Column A

1. adjudicate

2. appellate

3. collusion

4. deposition

5. equity

6. exhume

7. incommunicado

8. intestate

9. ipso facto

10.lien

11.litigation

12.perjury

13.pettifogger

14.tort

15.tribunal

Column B

a.testimony under oath

b.claim against property

c. a wrongful act

d. act as a judge

e. one harping on insignificant matters

f. court of law

g. by that very fact

h. dig out of the earth

i. conspiracy

j. impartiality

k. able to uphold or reverse previous decisions

l. isolated

m. lying under oath

n. not having a will

o. legal action

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[Key]

1. d

2. k

3. i

4. a

5. j

6. h

7. l

8. n

9. g

10.b

11.o

12.m

13.e

14.c

15.f

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Starters

Word order of adjectives

When we use more than one adjective the usual order is size, colour and nationality.

However,the word 'colour' is not used after a colour adjective.

I bought a big black Japanese umbrella. (size + colour + nationality)

She is driving a small blue Indian car.

(size+colour+nationality)

When we use two colours, we place the word 'and' between them.

He is wearing a black and white suit.

His suit is black and white.

Do not use commas or the word 'and' when using adjectives from different groups.

Champa wore a big blue Indian costume.

He bought a pair of black Italian shoes.

The artist painted small green leaves on the board.

Susila collects little Chinese dolls.

Activity

Rewrite the following sentences using adjectives in brackets.

1. Srima keeps all her books in a cupboard. (big).

2. Rani will be interviewed at the embassy tomorrow. (Australian)

3. Mother loves to bring small flowers from the garden. (yellow)

4. Our Indian guide described the history of Taj Mahal (fat)

5. Almeida found a picture of a bird in his drawer (black and blue)

6. Thilak bought a black and white television. (Japanese)

7. Do you like those marbles in the bottle? (blue and green)

8. We could not move his black sofa. (big)

9. Some English teachers are coming to Sri Lanka. (Indian)

10. That blue building is a landmark in the city. (big)

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[Key]

1. Srima keeps all her books in a big cupboard.

2. Rani will be interviewed at the Australian embassy tomorrow.

3. Mother loves to bring small yellow flowers from the gardens.

4. Our fat Indian guide described the history of Taj Mahal.

5. Almeida found a black and blue picture of a bird in his drawer.

6. Thilak bought a black and white Japanese television.

7. Do you like those blue and green marbles in the bottle?

8. We could not move his big black sofa.

9. Some Indian English teachers are coming to Sri Lanka.

10. That big blue building is a landmark in the city.

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