What is thought? Pronunciation and usage in English

thought means . Learn how to pronounce and use thought through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of thought

thoughtnoun

/θɔːt/
Definition & pronunciation of thought

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "thought" in English. There are a couple of common pronunciations, and it depends slightly on regional accents. Here's a breakdown:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (General American English):

  • Sounds: /θɔːt/ (This is the pronunciation you'll hear most often in the US)

  • Breakdown:

    • "th": This is a voiceless "th" sound – like in "thin" or "thank." Your tongue should be lightly touching the back of your top teeth.
    • "o": A short, open "o" sound, like in "hot" or "lot."
    • "ught": This is where it gets a little tricky. The "gh" is silent in this pronunciation. It is pronounced as "t". It’s a combined sound that flows into the "t."

  • Listen: You can hear it here: https://youglish.com/search/%22thought%22 (This website lets you hear the word pronounced in context from YouTube videos)

2. British English Pronunciation:

  • Sounds: /ɔːt/

  • Breakdown:

    • "th": Again, a voiceless "th" sound.
    • "o": A more rounded "o" sound – closer to the vowel sound in "caught" or "taught" – but not quite the same. It’s a slightly deeper “o”.
    • "ught": The "gh" is silent. It’s pronounced as “t”.

  • Listen: https://youglish.com/search/%22thought%22 (Again, try listening to examples on youglish.)

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the "th" sound: This is often the hardest part for learners. Practice making that clear, voiceless "th."
  • Don't stress the "gh": The “gh” is silent.
  • Listen and imitate: The best way to learn is to hear native speakers pronounce it and try to copy them. Use the youglish link!

To help me give you even more specific guidance, could you tell me:

  • What region are you interested in? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word thought in English

Let's break down how to use the word "thought" in English! It's a really versatile word with multiple meanings and grammatical roles. Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. As a Verb (Action - Thinking)

  • Basic Meaning: To have an idea, opinion, or belief.
    • "I thought about it all night." (I considered it.)
    • "She thought he was kind." (She had an opinion about him.)
    • "We thought we’d go to the beach, but it rained." (We had planned to.)
  • Past Tense: thought
  • Past Participle: thought
  • Present Participle: thinking

2. As a Noun (The Idea/Process of Thinking)

  • A single idea or opinion:
    • “I had a thought – let’s eat pizza!” (A specific idea)
    • “That was a good thought.” (Acknowledging a good idea)
  • A consideration or reflection:
    • “I spent a lot of thought on the problem.” (I considered it deeply.)
  • A memory or recollection: (This is less common, but it exists)
    • “I had a strange thought about him yesterday.” (A random memory or feeling)

3. As a Noun (The Act of Thinking - Often used in Phrases)

  • "Second thought": A reconsideration of an idea. "I was going to buy the red car, but I had a second thought."
  • "Thought process": The way someone thinks – their reasoning. “His thought process was completely illogical.”
  • "Thought out": Carefully planned or considered. “It was a well-thought-out plan.”
  • “A fleeting thought”: A sudden, brief thought. "I had a fleeting thought about winning the lottery."

4. "I thought" - A Common Phrase

  • This is extremely common. It's a polite way of expressing an opinion or reflecting on something.
    • "I thought you might like this." (Offering something)
    • "I thought it was a bit cold in here." (Expressing a feeling)
    • “I thought you were going to be late.” (Expressing a belief)

5. "I thought that..." / "I thought he/she/it..." – Expressing a specific idea

  • “I thought that we should order pizza.” (Expressing a specific suggestion)
  • “I thought he was a good actor.” (Expressing a judgement about someone)

Here's a table to summarize:

Role Form Example
Verb think I think it's raining.
Noun thought I had a good thought.
Noun (Phrase) Second thought He had a second thought before speaking.
Phrase I thought I thought you looked nice.

Tips for Using "Thought" Effectively:

  • Context is key: The meaning of “thought” depends heavily on how it’s used in a sentence.
  • Tense matters: Pay attention to the tense of the verb form. “Thought” is past tense. “Thinking” is present participle.
  • Don’t overuse “I thought”: While common, it can sometimes sound hesitant or indirect. Consider alternative ways to express your opinion.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What specifically are you struggling with when using “thought”? (e.g., confusing it with “think,” using it correctly in a sentence, etc.)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you're unsure about?

Synonyms for the word thought

Idioms of the word thought

collect yourself/your thoughts
to try to control your emotions and become calm
  • I'm fine—I just need a minute to collect myself.
to prepare yourself mentally for something
  • She paused to collect her thoughts before entering the interview room.
food for thought
an idea that makes you think seriously and carefully
  • The programme certainly provides plenty of food for thought.
give (somebody) pause for thought
(formal)to make somebody think seriously about something or hesitate before doing something
  • Popular resistance to the measures should give the government pause for thought.
have second thoughts
to change your opinion after thinking about something again
  • You’re not having second thoughts about it, are you?
on second thoughts
used to say that you have changed your opinion
  • I'll wait here. No, on second thoughts, I'll come with you.
a penny for your thoughts | a penny for them
(saying)used to ask somebody what they are thinking about
    perish the thought
    (informal or humorous)used to say that you find a suggestion unacceptable or that you hope that something will never happen
    • Me get married? Perish the thought!
    school(s) of thought
    a way of thinking that a number of people share
    • There are two schools of thought about how this illness should be treated.
    • He belongs to the school of thought that says that competition can be very stimulating for children.
    a train of thought
    the connected series of thoughts that are in your head at a particular time
    • The phone ringing interrupted my train of thought.
    • I lose my train of thought when there are distractions.
    the wish is father to the thought
    (saying)we believe a thing because we want it to be true
      without a second thought
      immediately; without stopping to think about something further
      • He dived in after her without a second thought.
      • I accepted the offer without a second thought.

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