В американских фильмах, очень часто можно услышать: ‘I believe’ с русским переводом ‘Я думаю’.
Может, кому пригодятся пояснения британки и американки разницы значений слов: «Think, believe, guess, figure, realise, consider».
Все пояснения даны на английском языке с примерами.
Сначала пояснения американки
Think and believe often mean the same thing.
Some examples:
I believe that it will rain today.
I believe he is around 30 years old.
I think he is around 30 years old.
There are some subtle differences, but they are so subtle that I’m not sure how to explain.
For example,
I think it is because “believe” can also mean “to have faith” in something – like ‘верить’.
You don’t have faith that someone is cute.
You either think so or not – it is more simple.
Most of the time they are interchangeable though.
“Guess” is similar, and can be used like “think” and “believe” often.
I guess he is around 30 years old.
I guess he is cute.
The main difference is that ‘guess’ means “угадать” so it sounds less personal and less sure than “think” and “believe”.
“Figure” can be used in place of think, believe, and guess.
Some examples:
I figure he is around 30 years old.
I figure he is cute.
I figure I will go to the party, but just for an hour.
“Figure” in this context means “think”, but implies some sort of calculation or extra thought.
“Realize” is different.
Here are some examples:
I realized he is around 30 years old when I saw his passport.
I realized he is cute when I saw him wearing his new suit.
It kind of means “figure out” or “узнать”, but with less effort.
“Consider” can also be used in place of “think”, “guess”, etc., but not always.
It has a connotation of “thinking about”.
I consider him to be middle-aged because he is around 30.
I consider him cute.
I’m considering going to the party, but maybe for just an hour.
I think he is right. Думаю, он прав.
I believe he is right.Скорее всего, он прав.
I guess he is right.Наверное, он прав.
“I consider it raining” is weird because either it is or it isn’t and thinking about it won’t change anything.
Пояснения британки
Think lesser confidence in the truth maybe he is cute.
Believe more confidence in the truth than just maybe he is cute.
Know complete confidence in the truth.
For example,
“I guess he is cute” really not convinced that he cute.
“I think he’s cute” could be convinced but not sure.
“I believe he’s cute” this is my thoughts only as to have faith in something.
“I know he is cute” positive that he is cute.
I know that Leonardo is handsome, (in my opinion).
Janet believes he is just handsome. Janet sort of believes he is handsome.
Susan thinks he is handsome. not as convinced as Janet.
Kate guesses he is handsome. so not convinced that he is handsome one way or another.
Kate guesses he is handsome so is not totally convinced, Susan just thinks he is handsome so less convinced than Janet and Janet is less convinced than Joe.
“I guess” is used to indicate that although one thinks or supposes he is cute but is without any great conviction.
To give an answer to a partiular question when you do not have all the facts and so cannot be certain if you are correct.
Figure out — Comprehend or understand a persons actions, motives or personality.
Figure suggests use of a skill to arrive at a conclusion. With a little more logical evidence to support the statement.
These statements can be supported by evidence.
I figured out why she is always late. eg you found out she walks home.
I figured out why my daughter doesn’t like tomatoes.
I figured out the math problem.
These statements can have figure only if they are true and have supported evidence.
I figure it will rain today.
I figure he is around 30 years old.
I figure I will go to the party, but just for an hour.
This statement cannot be supported this is only personal opinion.
I figure he is cute.
Realize — become aware to understand a situation sometimes sudden.
They didn’t realize the danger they were in.
Consider — spending time thinking about a possibility or making a decision.
Don’t make any decisions before you’ve considered the situation.
I’m considering going outside, but not sure I will because it is raining. (“I consider it raining” is weird because either it is or it isn’t and thinking about it won’t change anything).
You had to consider whether to go out or not because it was raining the rain was not part of the consideration.
I consider him to be middle-aged because he is around 30.
You had to come to a conclusion on why he is middle age and consider the possibility.
I consider him cute.
You had to think about making the decision if he was cute or not.
I’m considering going to the party, but maybe for just an hour.
You had to make a decision and consider the situation about going to the party for just and hour.
All the consideration statements needed to be thought about and had to have a decision made.
Do you remember this remember = sure of something.
— Do you remember when there was no school because of the typhoon?
— Yes, I remember.
— Do you remember where you were June 15, 2005?
— No, I don’t remember.
I guess so /I think so.
I guess so I think so = not sure of something.
— Do you know who broke the window?
— I guess Kevin did.
— What makes you think so?
— I saw him playing baseball near the house.
— Do you know did. who spilt the milk?
— I saw her looking at the cup on the table. What makes you think so?
— Do you know who cut the magazine?
— I guess Jane did.What makes you I saw her playing with think so? scissors in the living room.
— Who do you think did this?
— I think the dog did it.
— Who do you think did this?
— I think the cat did it.
— Who did this?
— I think the children did it.
I Guess / I Think Game All answers must include sentences that start with “I guess you are…” or “I think you are…”You can guess at any time.
“Figure out” is something totally different. It means “узнать”, but implies a lot of work to get to the answer.
I figured out why she is always late.
I figured out why my daughter doesn’t like tomatoes.
I figured out the math problem.