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For Life
2008.05.28

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Today's Lesson
I DON'T THINK ...   ～ではないと思う

Explanation

  • If you don't believe something, say I don't think ... rather than “I think ... not ....” For example, we say “I don't think he's coming” rather than “I think he's not coming.”
  • 自分はそうは思わない、と言いたいときは、I think ... not .... ではなく、I don't think ... という表現を使います。例えば、「彼は来ないと思う」なら、I think he's not coming. ではなく、I don't think he's coming. と言います。

I DON'T THINK ...

examples

  1. (walking past a restaurant at the airport)
    a: Shall we have lunch here? I don't think they serve lunch on the flight.
    b: I don't think we have enough time. Our flight's boarding in ten minutes.
  2. I don't think we're in Kansas anymore!
  3. a: Why didn't you tell me?
    b: I didn't think you'd believe me.

英会話レッスンBye for now!