The verb to think · Conjugation
Past Simple of think
The answer: thought
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to think is thought.
Example: I thought the film was great.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | thought |
| You | thought |
| He / She / It | thought |
| We | thought |
| You (pl.) | thought |
| They | thought |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Thinked ❌
Think is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple is thought (said /θɔːt/), never thinked.
2. I have thinked about it ❌
Like have → had → had, the Past Simple and the past participle of think are the same: thought. I thought about it (Past Simple) and I have thought about it (Present Perfect).
3. Thought with a /g/ sound ❌
In thought, the letters gh are silent. You say /θɔːt/, like bought, brought and fought. The th is /θ/: put your tongue between your teeth.
Practice quiz
Going further
The English contest tests the Past Simple of think in real sentences
Instead of a single school exercise, your students meet this tense in context, in a contest that really motivates them.
Register my students5,000 students every year · Primary and secondary
Practise on PLAYMaster the Past Simple of think when you speak, not just on paper
The conjugation is clear in your head. On PLAY, you practise it in a game, with instant feedback, until it comes out on its own.
Practise the Past Simple of think on PLAYFree · No sign-up · 3 minutes
For teachersYour whole class practises the Past Simple of think, and you follow each student
The Academy has self-marking activities on this form, with a dashboard for each student: you see at a glance who is falling behind.
Discover the Academy30-day free trial · No bank card needed
Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of think?+
The Past Simple of think is thought (said /θɔːt/, like bought). It is the same for every person. The past participle is also thought.
How do you pronounce thought?+
Thought is said /θɔːt/. It starts with the same th sound as think, then a long vowel /ɔː/ like in port. The letters gh are silent. It rhymes with bought, brought, fought and caught.
Why is it not thinked?+
Think is an irregular verb. Its Past Simple does not follow the -ed rule. It is thought, never thinked. Many learners make this mistake at the start.
How do you use I thought in a sentence?+
Say I thought (that) + a sentence: I thought the shop was open. It is very common when you find out that you were wrong: I thought the test was on Monday, but it was on Friday.
What is the difference between I think and I am thinking?+
I think gives an opinion (a state): I think it's good. I am thinking describes an action in your mind right now: I am thinking about the question.
Related pages: think Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/think/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
Keep learning
More forms of the verb to think are coming soon.