thought
thought — 動詞
- thoughtpresent simple I / you / we / they
- thoughts3rd person singular
- thoughting-ing form
- thoughtedpast simple
1. Serves as the past simple form and the past participle of the verb "think" — use
思考過去式
動詞 think 的過去簡單式與過去分詞
Serves as the past simple form and the past participle of the verb "think" — used when someone used their mind to have an idea, form an opinion, or consider something at a time before now.
Mizuki thought the homework was too hard, so she asked the teacher for help.
Mizuki 覺得作業太難了，於是向老師求助。
past simple for a past opinion or belief
The doctor had thought of a different treatment before the test results arrived.
檢查結果出來之前，醫生就想到了另一種治療方法。
past participle with had to form past perfect
Ryan thought the train would arrive before six, but a signal problem delayed it for an hour.
Ryan 本來以為火車六點前會到，但號誌故障讓它晚了一個小時。
thought + that-clause for past belief
Nobody had thought to bring a first-aid kit on the hike until Arjun twisted his ankle on a root.
一直到 Arjun 在健行途中扭傷腳踝，都沒人想到要帶急救箱。
had thought + to-infinitive for past planning
The heavy box was thought to contain kitchen supplies, but it was full of old photographs instead.
那個沉重的箱子原本被認為裝的是廚房用品，結果裡面全是老照片。
passive construction: was thought to + infinitive
文法句型
thought + noun phrase
had thought + that-clause
was thought + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Unlike many English verbs, "thought" is identical in both the simple past and the past participle form. In the simple past it stands alone ("I thought you were away"). As a past participle it needs an auxiliary — "have/had" for perfect tenses ("She had thought about it") or "be" for passive voice ("It was thought impossible").
常見錯誤
thought — 名詞
- thoughtsingular
- thoughtsplural
1. A piece of mental content — such as an idea, belief, image, or plan — that enter
想法；念頭
腦海中浮現的觀點或概念
A piece of mental content — such as an idea, belief, image, or plan — that enters your head; also the general action of thinking rather than any specific item.
The thought of flying alone for the first time made Tuan's stomach feel full of butterflies.
一想到要第一次自己搭飛機，Tuan 就緊張又興奮。
the thought of + gerund for specific mental content
Quinn had a sudden thought during the meeting that everyone in the room was wearing blue.
Quinn 在會議中突然想到，在場每個人都穿著藍色的衣服。
have a thought + that-clause for realisation or idea
Sven sat quietly for an hour, lost in thought about the best way to fix the old bicycle chain.
Sven 靜靜坐了一個小時，陷入沉思，想著修理那輛舊腳踏車鏈條的最好辦法。
lost in thought — fixed phrase for deep thinking
Harper gave some thought to the job offer before calling the manager to accept it.
Harper 仔細考慮了那份工作邀請，然後才打電話給經理表示接受。
give thought to — consider carefully before a decision
- have a thought
- the thought of
- lost in thought
- deep in thought
- a passing thought
- give thought to
- spare a thought for
文法句型
have a thought
the thought of + noun/gerund
thought + that-clause
give thought to
用法筆記
This sense can be countable (a single idea: "I had a thought") or uncountable (the activity: "She sat deep in thought"). The uncountable use often appears in fixed phrases like "lost in thought" or "deep in thought." Distinguish from sense 2: this sense refers to specific mental content, whereas sense 2 is about the capacity itself.
常見錯誤
2. The mental power or capacity that allows people to reason, understand, create id
思考力；思維
推理或想像的心智能力
The mental power or capacity that allows people to reason, understand, create ideas, imagine possibilities, and work through problems logically or creatively.
Modern psychology has changed the way researchers understand human thought and memory.
現代心理學改變了研究人員理解人類思考與記憶的方式。
human thought — uncountable faculty sense
The philosopher argued that animals are also capable of thought, not just instinct.
那位哲學家主張，動物也具備思考能力，而不僅僅是本能。
capable of thought — ability to reason
Élise believes that learning a second language strengthens the power of thought itself.
Élise 相信學習第二語言能夠強化思考能力本身。
The ability to engage in abstract thought develops slowly as children move through their school years.
進行抽象思考的能力隨著兒童在學校的成長而慢慢發展。
abstract thought — formal, uncountable faculty use
- human thought
- the power of thought
- capable of thought
- abstract thought
- rational thought
- freedom of thought
文法句型
human thought
the power of thought
capable of thought
用法筆記
Always uncountable in this sense. You cannot say "a thought" to mean the faculty of reasoning. The sense is often modified by adjectives such as "human," "abstract," "critical," or "rational." Distinguish from sense 1 (individual mental content) and sense 3 (organised systems of ideas from a group or period).
3. The body of ideas, beliefs, and intellectual principles that characterise a part
思想；思潮
某時期或群體的共同觀點體系
The body of ideas, beliefs, and intellectual principles that characterise a particular group of people, historical period, or field of study — such as the political ideas of a movement or the scientific views of an era.
Marxist thought influenced labour movements and social policies across the twentieth century.
馬克思主義思想影響了整個二十世紀的勞工運動與社會政策。
proper-noun + thought for ideological system
The course covers the development of scientific thought from ancient Greece to the present day.
這門課程涵蓋了從古希臘到當代的科學思想發展。
scientific thought — organised body of ideas in a field
Obi's research focuses on the differences between Eastern and Western philosophical thought.
Obi 的研究重點是東西方哲學思想之間的差異。
Jack's essay examines the influence of Enlightenment thought on modern democratic systems.
Jack 的論文探討啟蒙運動思想對現代民主制度的影響。
Enlightenment thought — period-specific intellectual movement
- scientific thought
- political thought
- modern thought
- Western thought
- economic thought
- feminist thought
- school of thought
- ideology
A more specific term referring to a system of political or economic beliefs; often suggests a rigid framework.
- philosophy
A system of thought about the nature of existence and knowledge; broader and more formal than 'thought'.
- doctrine
A set of beliefs formally taught or held, often in religion or politics; more prescriptive.
文法句型
[field] + thought
school of thought
the thought of [period/group]
用法筆記
Usually modified by a domain or group ("scientific thought," "feminist thought," "modern thought"). It can overlap with sense 2 when discussing "human thought" in a historical context, but sense 3 emphasises shared cultural or intellectual systems rather than individual mental capacity.
4. A feeling of sympathetic concern or kind attention toward another person's feeli
體貼；關心
對他人感受的體諒或關懷
A feeling of sympathetic concern or kind attention toward another person's feelings, needs, or difficult situation — shown through considerate actions or words.
Yael showed great thought for her elderly neighbour by bringing her warm soup every week.
Yael 非常體貼她的老鄰居，每個星期都送熱湯過去。
show thought for — considerate action toward someone
The divorce was hard on the children, and nobody seemed to have any thought for their feelings.
那場離婚對孩子們打擊很大，但似乎沒有人關心他們的感受。
have any thought for — concern (often in negative)
Beatriz sent a small gift as a kind thought for the family who had hosted her during the summer.
Beatriz 寄了一份小禮物，作為對接待她度過夏天的家庭的一點心意。
A good host shows thought for guests by asking about their food allergies in advance.
好的主人會體貼客人，事先詢問他們有沒有食物過敏。
show thought for — anticipatory consideration
- show thought for
- have no thought for
- thought for others
- kind thought
- with thought for
- consideration
Nearly identical but slightly more formal; 'thought' feels warmer and more personal.
- concern
Often implies worry or anxiety; 'thought' emphasises kind attention rather than worry.
- regard
More formal; often used in phrases like 'with regard to' rather than as a direct synonym.
- thoughtlessness
Lack of consideration for others.
- indifference
Complete lack of interest or concern.
文法句型
[no/some] thought for [someone]
show thought for
give thought to [someone's needs]
用法筆記
Commonly appears in negative or critical contexts: "no thought for others," "without a thought for the consequences." The positive form can sound slightly formal ("show thought for"). Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is on consideration for people, not on ideas about a topic.
常見錯誤
on second thought
idiomUsed to say that you have changed your opinion or decision after thinking about it again briefly.
再想想後改變主意
On second thought, Brian decided to take the bus home instead of walking in the rain.
have second thoughts
idiomTo begin to doubt a decision or feel less certain about something you had previously agreed to do.
改變想法；產生猶豫
Kasia had second thoughts about joining the club after learning how much the membership fee was.
food for thought
idiomAn idea, fact, or piece of information that gives you something interesting and serious to think about.
引人深思的事物
The documentary about plastic waste gave the students plenty of food for thought.
Immediately and without hesitating or considering possible consequences.
毫不猶豫地
Tara jumped into the cold river to save the drowning dog without a second thought.
a train of thought
idiomThe connected series of ideas or mental images that you follow while thinking about something.
思路；思緒
The sudden noise outside the window broke Femi's train of thought during the exam.
school of thought
idiomA particular way of thinking or set of opinions shared by a group of people, especially in a academic or professional field.
學派；思想流派
There are two main schools of thought on how best to teach children to read.
To pause and organise your ideas or calm your mind so that you can speak or act more clearly.
整理思緒
Ilan paused for a moment to collect his thoughts before answering the difficult question.
To cause someone to stop and think seriously or carefully about something, often because it is surprising or worrying.
引人深思；使人反思
The accident statistics gave the city council pause for thought about road safety measures.
perish the thought
idiomUsed to say that a suggested possibility is completely unacceptable or that you strongly hope something will never happen.
但願不是；想都別想
"Perish the thought that we might lose our funding," said Bilal, "the research is too important to stop."
A friendly way of asking someone who is quiet what they are thinking about.
你在想什麼？
"A penny for your thoughts, Gabriela," said Fatima when she saw her staring out of the window.
To take a moment to calm down and think clearly.
讓自己冷靜下來
Mina took a deep breath to collect herself before speaking.
After the loud noise, Brian sat down to collect his thoughts.
To cause someone to stop and think carefully about something.
讓人深思
The accident gave the driver pause for thought about safety.
Did the teacher's question give you pause for thought?
on second thoughts
idiomUsed to express that you have changed your mind about something.
再想想
I'll have coffee, but on second thoughts, make it tea.
On second thoughts, she decided not to go to the party.
A way of asking someone what they are thinking about.
在想什麼呢？
You look deep in thought—a penny for your thoughts?
A penny for them, Diego? You seem worried.
school(s) of thought
idiomA particular way of thinking that is shared by a group of people.
學派
Two schools of thought exist on how to teach reading.
She follows the school of thought that values experience over theory.
When you believe something because you want it to be true.
願望是思想之父
He thinks she likes him, but the wish is father to the thought.
The wish is father to the thought: we hope the exam will be easy.
同根字
- think動詞A1
- thoughtful形容詞B1
- thoughtfully副詞B1
- thoughtless形容詞B2
- thoughtlessly副詞B2
- thoughtfulness名詞B2
- thoughtlessness名詞C1
- unthinkable形容詞B2
- rethink動詞B2
- thinker名詞B1
- thinking名詞A2