think of

trouver, imaginer

Trouver une idée, une réponse ou une possibilité dans son esprit.

En anglais simple : An idea, answer, or possibility comes into your mind.

• Can you think of a name?
• She thought of a way to fix the door.
• I cannot think of any excuse for being late.

Comment l'utiliser : think of something (We thought of a better solution.)

Synonymes : come up with, think up

Expressions courantes : think of something, think of an idea, think of a solution

penser à

Avoir une personne ou une chose à l'esprit, ou prendre du temps pour y réfléchir.

En anglais simple : You have someone or something in your mind, or spend time considering them.

• I often think of you.
• She was thinking of her childhood home.
• Do you ever think of our days at school?

Comment l'utiliser : think of someone/something (He thinks of his family every day.)

Synonymes : think about

Expressions courantes : think of someone, think of home, think of the past

penser à, tenir compte de

Tenir compte d'une personne ou d'une chose comme raison importante pour décider comment agir.

En anglais simple : You consider someone or something as an important reason for deciding what to do.

• Think of your children!
• Before you quit, think of the money you need.
• We should think of the risks before agreeing.

Comment l'utiliser : think of someone/something (Think of the expense before you buy it.)

Synonymes : consider, take into account

Expressions courantes : think of the cost, think of your children, think of the consequences

penser

S'emploie pour demander à quelqu'un ce qu'il avait en tête en faisant quelque chose de stupide ou de mal.

En anglais simple : Used to question why someone did something foolish or wrong.

• What were you thinking of?
• What was I thinking of when I left the keys inside?
• What could he have been thinking of, spending all our rent money?

Comment l'utiliser : what be someone thinking of? (What were you thinking of when you sent that message?)

Expressions courantes : think of doing that, think of such nonsense