Cool MateDeem vs Think, think, think
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Deem
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)C1verb
Think, think, think
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most formal: DeemMost common: Think, think, think
| Deem | Think, think, think | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/diːm/","/diːmz/","/diːmd/","/ˈdiːmɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/diːm/","/diːmz/","/diːmd/","/ˈdiːmɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //θɪŋk//🇺🇸 //θɪŋk// |
| Meaning | to think of or consider something in a certain way | To use your mind to consider or reason about something. |
| Example | The evening was deemed a great success. | I need to think about my options. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | deem necessary, deem appropriate, deem important, deem to be, deem unsuitable | think about, think of, think deeply, think critically, think twice |
| Antonyms | disregard, dismiss, neglect | ignore, disregard, neglect |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'consider' or 'believe', 'Deem' is often incorrectly used without specifying an object, Inverted subject-object order mistakes, such as 'I deem her informed' instead of 'I deem her to be informed.' | Confused with 'thought' as the past tense., Using 'think' with incorrect prepositions., Inappropriate in formal contexts. |
| Usage notes | Used in formal contexts, such as legal documents or academic writing. It's not appropriate in casual conversation. | Used to indicate contemplation or consideration. Avoid in very formal writing; instead, opt for 'consider' or 'ponder'. |
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Frequently asked questions: Deem vs Think, think, think
What's the difference between Deem and Think, think, think?
Deem: to think of or consider something in a certain way Think, think, think: To use your mind to consider or reason about something.
Which is more formal: Deem and Think, think, think?
Deem is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Deem and Think, think, think?
Think, think, think is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Deem: The evening was deemed a great success. Think, think, think: I need to think about my options.
Can I use Deem and Think, think, think interchangeably?
Not always. Deem and Think, think, think 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.