Cool MateContemplate vs Think about this
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Contemplate
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Think about this
Top 2,000 (common)
| Contemplate | Think about this | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒntəmpleɪt/","/ˈkɒntəmpleɪts/","/ˈkɒntəmpleɪtɪd/","/ˈkɒntəmpleɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪt/","/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪts/","/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪd/","/ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //θɪŋk əˈbaʊt ðɪs//🇺🇸 //θɪŋk əˈbaʊt ðɪs// |
| Meaning | To think deeply about something. | consider this idea or topic |
| Example | She likes to contemplate the meaning of life during long walks in the park. | Before making a decision, you should really *think about this* carefully. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | seriously, even, be prepared to, be willing to, cannot, too awful to contemplate, too horrible to contemplate, seriously, even, be prepared to, be willing to, cannot, too awful to contemplate, too horrible to contemplate, seriously, even, be prepared to, be willing to, cannot, too awful to contemplate, too horrible to contemplate | think about life, think about the future, think about your choices |
| Antonyms | ignore, disregard, dismiss | ignore this, disregard this |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'compliment' or 'contemplate' due to similar sounds., Using intransitively (e.g., 'I contemplate' without specifying what)., Overusing in informal contexts where simpler words like 'think' may be better. | Omitting 'about' and saying just 'think this', Confusing with 'think of' which implies a quicker, less deep consideration., Using it in commands without softening with 'please' or 'let's'. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts. It’s appropriate when discussing serious topics or decisions. Avoid using it in lighthearted situations. | Use when encouraging someone to consider something. It's appropriate in both casual and professional settings, but avoid in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Contemplate vs Think about this
What's the difference between Contemplate and Think about this?
Contemplate: To think deeply about something. Think about this: consider this idea or topic
Can you show an example of each?
Contemplate: She likes to contemplate the meaning of life during long walks in the park. Think about this: Before making a decision, you should really *think about this* carefully.
Can I use Contemplate and Think about this interchangeably?
Not always. Contemplate and Think about this are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.