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Past Tense of “Think” (Grammar + Examples)

What is the past tense of “think?” Most commonly, the past tense of the word “think” is “thought” although the word form will change based on its participle. And the sentence where it’s used. For example, referencing “think” in the present participle form will change it to “thinking,” but in the infinitive form, will be “think.”

Continue reading to learn more about the past tense form of this word.

What is the past tense of “think?”

The past tense (past participle) form of “think” is “thought.” The infinitive of the word form is “think.” The present participle form is “thinking.” The past tense form is “thought” and past participle form is “thought”

To learn how to use these words, refer to the sentence examples provided below.

Sentence examples for past tense of “think”

  • Infinitive: I think I closed the garage door to the house.
  • Present participle: I am thinking I closed the garage door to the house.
  • Past tense: I think I closed the garage door to the house.
  • Past participle: I have thought I closed the garage door to the house.

“Think” verb forms and examples

Example sentences in all verb forms:

Indefinite present tense

I think I closed the garage door to the house.

Present continuous tense

I am thinking I closed the garage door to the house.

Present perfect continuous tense

I have thought I closed the garage door to the house.

Present perfect tense

I have been thinking I closed the garage door to the house.

Simple past tense

I thought I closed the garage door to the house.

Past continuous tense

I was thinking I closed the garage door to the house.

Past perfect tense

I had thought I closed the garage door to the house.

Perfect continuous tense

I had been thinking I closed the garage door to the house.

Simple future tense

I will think I closed the garage door to the house.

Future continuous tense

I will be thinking I closed the garage door to the house.

Future perfect tense

I will have thought I closed the garage door to the house.

Perfect continuous tense

I will have been thinking I closed the garage door to the house.

Examples in all verb tenses

Sentences examples in all participles and parts of speech:

Verb TenseExample sentence
Simple Present TenseI think.
Present Continuous TenseI am thinking.
Present Perfect TenseI have thought.
Present Perfect Continuous TenseI have been thinking.
Simple Past TenseI thought.
Past Continuous TenseI was thinking.
Past Perfect TenseI had thought.
Past Perfect Continuous TenseI had been thinking.
Simple Future TenseI will think.
Future Continuous TenseI will be thinking.
Future Perfect TenseI will have thought.
Future Perfect Continuous TenseI will have been thinking.

FAQs

What is the past tense of the word “think?”

Thought.

What is an example sentence with the past tense of the word “think?”

I thought I closed the garage door at the house the other night.

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Participles

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About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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