What Does “Not think much of sb” Mean?
“Not think much of sb” means to have a low opinion of someone or to not respect or admire them.
Introduction
The phrase “Not think much of sb” is a common English phrasal verb used to express a negative opinion about someone. When you say you “do not think much of” a person, it means you do not value their qualities, abilities, or character highly. This phrase is often used in everyday conversations to share honest thoughts about someone’s behavior or personality. Understanding the “Not think much of sb meaning” can help you express criticism politely or describe your feelings clearly.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Not think much of somebody
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-intermediate)
- Short meaning: To have a low opinion of someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Not think much of sb” is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot separate the phrase by inserting words between “think” and “much of”. The structure is always:
- Subject + do/does/did + not + think + much of + somebody
- Example: I don’t think much of his ideas.
Note that “sb” stands for “somebody” and is always the object after “much of”.
How to Use Not think much of sb?
Use “Not think much of sb” when you want to express a negative or low opinion about a person politely. It is often used in formal and informal settings. You can use it to talk about someone’s skills, personality, or decisions without being too harsh. This phrase is useful when you want to be honest but still sound respectful.
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “Not think much of sb”:
- I don’t think much of his leadership skills.
- She doesn’t think much of her new colleague.
- Many people do not think much of the manager’s decisions.
- He didn’t think much of the movie, so he left early.
- Not think much of sb in a sentence: I don’t think much of her attitude towards work.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse the word order or use this phrase incorrectly in sentences. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Incorrect: I don’t think her much of.
- Correct: I don’t think much of her.
- Incorrect: She not think much of him.
- Correct: She does not think much of him.
Remember, “much of” always stays together and comes before the object.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “look down on sb” and “have no respect for sb,” but they have subtle differences:
- Not think much of sb: Polite way to say you have a low opinion.
- Look down on sb: Stronger, means you consider someone inferior.
- Have no respect for sb: More direct and negative.
Use “Not think much of sb” when you want to sound less harsh and more diplomatic.
Common Collocations
This phrase often pairs with certain words to describe what you don’t think highly of:
- Not think much of someone’s work: Low opinion of their job or effort.
- Not think much of someone’s ideas: Dislike or doubt their suggestions.
- Not think much of someone’s attitude: Negative view of their behavior.
- Not think much of someone’s skills: Doubt their abilities.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of not think much of sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “Not think much of sb”:
Alice: What do you think of the new team leader?
John: Honestly, I don’t think much of him. He seems inexperienced.
Alice: I agree. I expected better leadership.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences below with the correct form of “Not think much of sb”:
- I ________ ________ ________ ________ his ideas; they don’t seem practical.
- She ________ ________ ________ ________ her neighbor because of his rude behavior.
- They ________ ________ ________ ________ the new policy.
(Answers: don’t think much of, doesn’t think much of, don’t think much of)
FAQ
- Q: Is “Not think much of sb” formal or informal?
A: It is suitable for both formal and informal situations. - Q: Can I use “Not think much of sb” to describe friends?
A: Yes, but it may sound critical, so use it carefully. - Q: What is the opposite of “Not think much of sb”?
A: To think highly of someone or to admire someone. - Q: Can I say “I don’t think much about him”?
A: No, the correct phrase is “I don’t think much of him.” - Q: Is this phrase common in American English?
A: Yes, it is widely used in both British and American English.
