forthought

forthought — verb

  • forthoughtpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • forthoughts3rd person singular
  • forthoughting-ing form
  • forthoughtedpast simple

1. to reverse a decision or opinion you had settled on, especially after new inform

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to reverse a decision or opinion you had settled on, especially after new information or a change in circumstances makes you reconsider what you had planned.

例句

Sirin had agreed to join the trip, but she forthought herself after learning about the schedule change.

reflexive: forthink + oneself

The committee forthought itself of its earlier vote when the budget figures arrived.

reflexive with 'of': forthink + oneself + of + noun

同義詞
  • reconsider

    modern equivalent, less formal; does not require a reflexive pronoun

  • rethink

    focuses on the mental process rather than the reversal itself

  • reverse

    stronger, emphasises the act of undoing a decision

反義詞
  • stand firm

    to refuse to change one's decision

  • persist

    to continue with a plan despite reasons to change

文法句型

forthink + oneself

forthink + oneself + of + noun/gerund

用法筆記

The reflexive pronoun (oneself) is required — this sense cannot be used without it. The pattern forthink + oneself + of + something is the most common historical construction. Distinguish from sense 2, which focuses on regret rather than deliberate reversal of a plan.

常見錯誤

❌He forthought his decision.
✅He forthought himself of his decision.
💡The reflexive pronoun is mandatory in this sense.
❌She forthought about the offer.
✅She forthought herself of the offer.
💡Use the reflexive construction, not the preposition 'about'.

2. to feel sorry about a past action or decision, wishing that you had acted differ

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to feel sorry about a past action or decision, wishing that you had acted differently — for example, forthinking oneself of a harsh word said in anger, or of a missed opportunity.

例句

Owen forthought himself of the angry letter he had sent to his landlord.

reflexive with 'of' for regret

Yuna forthought herself of leaving the party so early once she heard how lively it became later.

forthink + oneself + of + gerund clause

同義詞
  • regret

    the direct modern equivalent; simpler and much more common

  • repent

    stronger, with moral or religious overtones

  • rue

    archaic like forthink, but more narrowly about bitterness rather than simple regret

反義詞
  • celebrate

    to feel joy about a past decision

  • rejoice

    to feel glad about a past action

文法句型

forthink + oneself + of + noun/gerund

it forthinks + person + that-clause

用法筆記

In this sense the regret is emotional rather than a planned reversal — the action has usually already happened and cannot be undone. Like sense 1, the reflexive pronoun is required. In very old texts you may also find the impersonal pattern 'it forthinks me' (I regret it), but this is no longer productive.

常見錯誤

❌I forthought my words.
✅I forthought myself of my hasty words.
💡The reflexive pronoun and 'of' are needed.
❌Use of modern 'regret' when the scene is deliberately archaic.
✅Reserve 'forthink' for historical or literary contexts where an old-fashioned tone fits.