Expression I think used when we need politely express one's own opinion or make the statement less categorical/dogmatic. This expression assumes that the speaker is simply expressing his opinion, with which others may not agree.
Translation
into Russian expression I think usually translated as: seems; in my opinion; I think; to my mind; I consider
Negation
Pay special attention to expressing a negative point of view I think . For example, "I don't think he's a good person." In such cases, the negative particle not will be taken over by the expression I think and it will turn out I don't think.
As a result, the negative sentence will look like this:
I do not think that he is a good person, that is I don't think he is a good man.
I don't think
Moreover, there is a formal way disagree with what is said or say "no". For this, immediately after the expression I think put a negative particle not and we get I don't think. For example, “Vasily, are you going to this reception?”. Vasily's answer: "I think not." English translation:
— Vasiliy, are you going to that party?
— I don't think
I think so and I don't think so
Another way to agree or disagree with a statement is to use expressions such as I think so and I don't think so, which are most often used to emphasize the degree of agreement or disagreement with the statement.
Has she accepted the job?
— I think so.
Did she accept the job offer?
- Seems to be yes.Haven't we met before?
— I don't think so.
- Have we met before?
- It seems not.
Other times
Keep in mind that the expressions mentioned above can also be used in other tenses.
I thought she was honest, but I was wrong.
Examples
I think you ought to try again.
In my opinion you should try again.This is, I think, much, much more important.
It, I consider much, much more important.I don't think he likes me.
Seems, I told him not like me.I don't think you should accept the job offer.
I do not think, what do you should take this is a job offer.Do you understand what I mean? yes, I think so.
Do you understand what I mean? Yes it seems.She thought I was going to take her there. I didn't think so.
She thought that I'm going to take her there. I didn't think so.
Synonyms
A synonymous expression is: ; I reckon; I guess and In my view, In my opinion.
“I think, therefore I am,” said Rene Descartes. But this does not mean at all that you must constantly remind your interlocutors that you are thinking. We will talk about the synonyms of "I think ...", which can be safely replaced in any situation.
Saying “I think...” 10 times in different ways is a great way to demonstrate to the interlocutor (and in his place a potential employer and a pretty person of the opposite sex) the general level of education and the richness of your English.
The phrase "I think..." is neutral. If you want to express your opinion more formally, you can use the following phrases:
1. I suppose - I believe, I think, I think
A more formal way to express your opinion.
Examples of using:
- I suppose it depends on the driver.
- Yeah, well, I suppose it's a little tough in the winter.
- I suppose everyone asks you, but why are you doing it?
2. I reckon - I believe, I believe
Can be a synonym for "I think...", but not in all cases, it is worth paying attention to the nuances of the meaning. Sometimes it can even be used in the meaning of "count".
Examples of using:
- I reckon (that) I'm going to get that job.
- It's worth a lot of money, I reckon.
3. In my opinion - in my opinion
The phrase more specifically indicates that what you said is your personal opinion, as opposed to "I think". Most often, the phrase can be safely used as a synonym:
And they had some, in my opinion, terrible Christmas music.
If you want to make your speech more figurative, you can use other phrases. Instead of "I suppose", for example, use "I believe", etc. 
4. I guess - I think, I think, probably
One of the most versatile phrases in English, you can pronounce it in different situations, including in the meaning of "I think ...". The phrase can express sarcasm, irony, or, for example, the uncertainty of thoughts, meditation:
Barista: Double special ultra low fat soy grande latte or triple super peppermint vente no milk frap with whipped cream?
Joe: I guess...
5. I imagine - I think, I believe, I imagine
More often the word is used precisely in the meaning of "represent", but can also be used instead of "I think":
And this is a pretty well-educated audience, so I imagine you all know something about AIDS.
6. I presume - I suppose, I suppose
Can almost always be used as a synonym for "I think".
I presume you "re tired after the long ride.
7. I believe - I believe, I think
Most often expresses your confidence in what has been said. Only in some cases is the same as "I think..."
I Believe I Can Fly!
8. It seems to me that - it seems to me that ...
Conveys uncertainty about what you are saying or lack of confidence.
It seems to me that there is this latent potential everywhere, all around us.
9. To my way of thinking, ... - in my opinion, in my opinion
An idiomatic expression that can be safely used in the meaning of "I think".
To my way of thinking, the plan should never have been approved.
10. As I see it, ... - in my opinion, as it seems to me, in my opinion, as I see it
Can be used literally: The world as i see it is a remarkable place. Or in the meaning of "I think" .
Decorate your speech with words and phrases, do not constantly use the same constructions.
How do we usually express our opinion in English? In most cases, we say: “I think…” And we limit ourselves to this. If we look at how many expressions we use in the same situation in our native language - Russian, we will see that there are many more.
So why limit yourself to speaking English?
Let's look at how we can express our opinion in English in different ways.
When we express our opinion, we are talking about what we think, feel, and believe about something or someone.
For example, what do we think of a new manager or employee? What do you think is the best way to learn English?
Some people have their own opinion on absolutely every issue. They know exactly what they think and believe, expressing their ideas and opinions categorically and freely. They like to express their opinion, and they do it all the time, even when they don't understand anything about the issue under discussion :) I'm sure you know such people 😀
Of course, most of us feel more confident expressing our opinions in conversations with people we know well, or on issues in which we are well versed.
When we express our opinion, we need to decide how we will do it. If we do it too categorically and directly, we can offend or even offend someone. On the other hand, being too soft in expressing our opinions can make us appear indecisive and even weak. For example, if we speak out about something for which we are responsible, then most likely we will do it categorically and decisively.
That is why let's look at the different ways of expressing your opinion in English.
There are at least 4 ways to do this:
Method 1. We express our opinion decisively and categorically.
I am absolutely convinced that … – I am completely sure that…
It's obvious to me that…. - It's obvious to me that...
As far as I am concerned… – Because it concerns me / It concerns me…
I firmly believe that… – I am absolutely sure that...
It's my belief that … – I sure that …
There is no doubt in my mind that … – I have no doubt that...
It's quite clear that… – It's obvious that …
I'm certain that… – I sure that …
Method 2. We express our opinion carefully, especially when we are not entirely versed in this matter.
I guess that…- I suppose that…
As far as I understand it… – As far as I understand….
It seems to me that…. - I think that …
I must admit that I'm not sure ... - I must admit I'm not sure...
In my opinion… – In my opinion …
As I see it… – As I see it / As far as I understand…
From my point of view … – From my point of view …
Method 3. We express opinions based on what we know, have heard or read. In this case, we show that we are not expressing our own opinion, but an idea received from some source.
Apparently... It's obvious that …
I've heard that… – I heard that …
The research seems to suggest that… – Research shows...
Method 4. We express our subjective opinion, based solely on our own experience.
In my experience… – From my experience…
I don't know about other people, but I can say … – I don't know about others, but I guess...
What I've found is that… – I found out that …
We may also be interested in someone's opinion, and the following questions will be relevant here:
What's your opinion of...? - What do you think about...?
What's your position on…? - What is your position on..?
What do you think of…? - What do you think about …?
How do you feel about…? - How do you feel about...?
I would like to hear your views on…? - I would like to know your opinion about..?
Any ideas on…? - Any ideas about...?
Of course, these are not all the ways and expressions that we can use when speaking about our opinion, but using these few already, we can greatly enrich and decorate our speech.
And a few lessons on this topic from native speakers:
Now we know and are able to accurately and clearly express our opinion in English.
