"Think/believe" typically take "that" or "so/not" to express opinion; "consider/find" construct opinion differently: "consider + object + [adj/noun]" or "find + object + [adj/participle]." The structures are not interchangeable.
THINK and BELIEVE: the most direct way to express opinion or belief. THINK: "I think (that) the proposal is viable." Colloquial and formal. The "that" can be omitted. Special use: "I think so" (I believe yes) / "I think not / I do not think so" (I believe no). Note: "I don't think he is right" is preferred to "I think he isn't right" in standard English (negation "rises" to the main verb: "I DON'T think" instead of negating the subordinate). BELIEVE: more formal and with a greater degree of conviction. "I believe this approach is fundamentally flawed." Also: "believe in" = believe in (the existence or value of something): "I believe in diversity." DIFFERENCE THINK vs BELIEVE: THINK = personal opinion, may be provisional. BELIEVE = greater conviction, often a value or principle. Both use "I think/believe that..."
I think the revised pricing model represents a meaningful step forward, but I do not think it goes far enough to address the structural cost competitiveness issues in the premium segment.
We believe that the integration of artificial intelligence capabilities into the core workflow engine will substantially improve throughput, reduce error rates, and ultimately deliver a measurably better experience for end users.
"Does the committee believe the current organizational structure is fit for purpose?" / "We believe so, although we acknowledge there may be opportunities for optimization in certain functional areas."
CONSIDER and FIND: evaluation verbs expressing opinion but with DIFFERENT grammatical structures from THINK/BELIEVE. CONSIDER + OBJECT + ADJECTIVE / NOUN: "I consider this approach risky." Without "that." "I consider the proposal a significant improvement." CONSIDER IT + ADJECTIVE: "I consider it essential that we review the data." CONSIDER + GERUND (to contemplate an action, not express opinion): "I am considering implementing the changes." FIND + OBJECT + ADJECTIVE / PARTICIPLE: "I find the results encouraging." "I find it difficult to believe." FEEL: for impressions or intuitions. "I feel (that) this is the wrong direction" = subjective perception. "I feel the approach is sound."
The risk committee considers the current exposure to currency fluctuation an acceptable level of risk given the natural hedges embedded in the company's diversified international revenue base.
Investors may find it reassuring to note that the company has maintained an investment-grade credit rating throughout the period, reflecting the strength of its underlying cash generation and balance sheet management.
I feel that the board has underestimated the cultural complexity involved in integrating two organizations with such different historical legacies and decision-making styles.
Common mistake
FREQUENT ERRORS: (1) "Consider that it is risky" = INCORRECT for evaluative CONSIDER. Evaluative CONSIDER = CONSIDER + object + adjective/noun (without "that"). "I consider it risky" / "I consider this proposal a risk." "Consider that..." = CORRECT only in the sense of "take into account that": "Consider that the market is changing." (2) "I find that the results encouraging" = INCORRECT. Evaluative FIND = FIND + object + adjective (without "that"): "I find the results encouraging." With "that" it changes: "I find that the results are encouraging" = I conclude/discover that the results are encouraging (different nuance). (3) "I consider to review the data" = INCORRECT. CONSIDER + gerund (for contemplated action): "I am considering REVIEWING the data" (not to-infinitive).
Trick to remember it
THE STRUCTURE OF EACH VERB: THINK/BELIEVE = verb + (that) + full clause with subject and verb. CONSIDER = verb + object + adjective/noun (without "that"). FIND = verb + object + adjective/participle (without "that" for simple evaluation). FEEL = verb + (that) + clause (like think). NEGATION OF OPINION: negate the main verb: "I DON'T think he is right" (not "I think he ISN'T right"). "I DON'T believe it is viable." THINK SO / BELIEVE SO: the compressed response uses SO: "Do you think the proposal is viable?" / "I think so."
Quick rule
Think/believe + that-clause (or so/not). Consider + object + adj/noun (without "that"). Find + object + adj/participle (without "that"). Negation rises to main verb: "I don't think..." (not "I think...not"). Consider + gerund = contemplate an action (not opinion). "Consider that" = take into account that (not evaluation).
Did you know?
The phenomenon of "NEGATION RAISING TO THE MAIN VERB" (Neg-raising) with opinion verbs like THINK, BELIEVE, EXPECT, and FEEL is one of the most studied pragmatic phenomena in cognitive linguistics. The rule is: "I don't think he is here" is generally interpreted as "I think he is NOT here" — the negation semantically affects the subordinate clause even though grammatically it is in the main clause. This does NOT occur with all verbs: "I don't know if he is here" does NOT equal "I know he is not here." It only occurs with opinion, belief, and perception verbs (think, believe, suppose, expect, feel, seem). Linguists have debated for decades whether this equivalence is a SYNTACTIC phenomenon (negation actually moves in the grammar) or PRAGMATIC/SEMANTIC (the listener infers the equivalence for pragmatic reasons). The debate remains open in theoretical linguistics.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
After a thorough review of all available options, the investment committee _____ the proposed acquisition an acceptable level of risk given the strategic rationale and the quality of the target's management team.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Many analysts _____ the current valuation of the sector reflects excessive optimism that is unlikely to be sustained once the forthcoming earnings season reveals the true impact of margin compression.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Think/believe + that-clause (or so/not). Consider + object + adj/noun (without "that"). Find + object + adj/participle (without "that"). Negation rises to main verb: "I don't think..." (not "I think...not"). Consider + gerund = contemplate an action (not opinion). "Consider that" = take into account that (not evaluation).
FREQUENT ERRORS: (1) "Consider that it is risky" = INCORRECT for evaluative CONSIDER. Evaluative CONSIDER = CONSIDER + object + adjective/noun (without "that"). "I consider it risky" / "I consider this proposal a risk." "Consider that..." = CORRECT only in the sense of "take into account that": "Consider that the market is changing." (2) "I find that the results encouraging" = INCORRECT. Evaluative FIND = FIND + object + adjective (without "that"): "I find the results encouraging." With "that" it changes: "I find that the results are encouraging" = I conclude/discover that the results are encouraging (different nuance). (3) "I consider to review the data" = INCORRECT. CONSIDER + gerund (for contemplated action): "I am considering REVIEWING the data" (not to-infinitive).
THE STRUCTURE OF EACH VERB: THINK/BELIEVE = verb + (that) + full clause with subject and verb. CONSIDER = verb + object + adjective/noun (without "that"). FIND = verb + object + adjective/participle (without "that" for simple evaluation). FEEL = verb + (that) + clause (like think). NEGATION OF OPINION: negate the main verb: "I DON'T think he is right" (not "I think he ISN'T right"). "I DON'T believe it is viable." THINK SO / BELIEVE SO: the compressed response uses SO: "Do you think the proposal is viable?" / "I think so."
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy