English grammar
I don't think... (not I think... not)
Say what you do or don't believe, negating think rather than the clause.
From the scene I don't think she'll come
In short
Put the not on think: I don't think she knows. For a positive belief, just say I think…
Your turn
Which one goes with negative: I don't think…?
Options: I don't think there'll be a problem. · I think she'll find it strange. · I think there won't be a problem (correct, but heavy)
Show answer
negative: I don't think… → I don't think there'll be a problem.
How it works
English puts the not on think, not on the second verb: I don't think she knows sounds natural; I think she doesn't know sounds heavy.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
I don't know... I (blank) she knows what paella is.
Options: don't think · think not · no think
Show answer
I don't know... I don't think she knows what paella is.
No sé... no creo que conozca la paella.
Good to know
The same happens with believe and suppose. For a positive belief, just say I think…
positive belief I think she'll find it strange.
Nuria
Well, I think she'll find it strange that I'm not Colombian.
Pues yo creo que le va a parecer raro que no sea colombiana.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well, (blank) that I'm not Colombian.
Options: I don't think there'll be a problem · I think there won't be a problem · I think she'll find it strange
Show answer
Nuria
Well, I think she'll find it strange that I'm not Colombian.
Pues yo creo que le va a parecer raro que no sea colombiana.
negative: I don't think… I don't think there'll be a problem.
Javi
I don't think there'll be a problem. She's very affectionate.
No creo que haya problema. Es muy cariñosa.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). She's very affectionate.
Options: I think she'll find it strange · I think there won't be a problem · I don't think there'll be a problem
Show answer
Javi
I don't think there'll be a problem. She's very affectionate.
No creo que haya problema. Es muy cariñosa.
less natural: I think… not I think there won't be a problem (correct, but heavy)
with can I don't think she can hear me.
Javi
I don't think she can hear me... but she's already saying yes to the wedding.
No creo que me oiga... pero ya dice que sí a la boda.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)... but she's already saying yes to the wedding.
Options: I don't think she can hear me · I think she'll find it strange · I don't think there'll be a problem
Show answer
Javi
I don't think she can hear me... but she's already saying yes to the wedding.
No creo que me oiga... pero ya dice que sí a la boda.
Common mistake
Not am think or thinking here. A positive belief, not negated.
Well, I think she'll find it strange that I'm not Colombian.
Pues yo creo que le va a parecer raro que no sea colombiana.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| positive belief | I think she'll find it strange. |
|---|---|
| negative: I don't think… | I don't think there'll be a problem. |
| less natural: I think… not | I think there won't be a problem (correct, but heavy) |
| with can | I don't think she can hear me. |
More lines from the story
- JaviI don't know... I don't think she knows what paella is.No sé... no creo que conozca la paella.
- JaviI'm going to video call my grandma.Voy a llamar a mi abuela por videollamada.
- JaviI don't think she minds. She just wants to meet you.No creo que le importe. Solo quiere conocerte.