Cool MateI don't think so vs Unlikely
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
I don't think so
Top 2,000 (common)
Unlikely
Top 2,000 (common)B1adjective
| I don't think so | Unlikely | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //aɪ dəʊnt θɪŋk səʊ//🇺🇸 //aɪ doʊnt θɪŋk soʊ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ʌnˈlaɪkli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʌnˈlaɪkli/"]/ |
| Meaning | I disagree with that idea. | Not likely to happen or to be true. |
| Example | Do you think we should cancel the trip? | It is unlikely that it will rain today given the clear skies. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | I don’t think so, I don’t believe so, I don’t feel that way | appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very |
| Antonyms | I think so, Yes, Definitely | likely, probable, certain |
| Common mistakes | Using it too aggressively in a polite conversation., Confusing it with 'I think not' which is more formal., Forgetting to tone down the response in sensitive discussions. | Confused with 'unlikely' vs 'unlikelyhood', Incorrectly using it in an informal context where 'improbable' might fit better., Using 'unlikely' to describe a person's character instead of a situation. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase in discussions to express your disagreement. It's neutral and can fit various contexts, but avoid in very formal settings. | Use 'unlikely' to describe situations or outcomes that are not expected. It's more appropriate in neutral contexts; avoid in very formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: I don't think so vs Unlikely
What's the difference between I don't think so and Unlikely?
I don't think so: I disagree with that idea. Unlikely: Not likely to happen or to be true.
Can you show an example of each?
I don't think so: Do you think we should cancel the trip? Unlikely: It is unlikely that it will rain today given the clear skies.
Can I use I don't think so and Unlikely interchangeably?
Not always. I don't think so and Unlikely 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.