Isn't it grammatically incorrect to say "think on" something rather than to think "of" or "about" it?

Question

I know it's traditionally British to use this expression, but isn't it still incorrect? If so, please detail why.

Answer 1

First, in the narrow sense, the expression is certainly NOT incorrect GRAMMATICALLY. Strictly speaking, that would mean you are not allowed to make this type of construction -- but, "verb + preposition" is a perfectly normal and common construction across all dialects of English.

So the question is about the actual MEANING and USAGE of these specific words:

To be "incorrect" (though grammatically possible), the expression would have to be:

1) 'slang', not 'standard' English, even though people use it.
2) somehow illogical, an inappropriate use of the preposition "on", that doesn't fit its meaning


As for #1) No, it is not slang. You yourself acknowledge that it is commonly used among British speakers. And so long as the 'powers that be' regard it as acceptable for formal discourse, there is no issue here.

Another evidence it is not a 'slang' expression, esp. not a modern-day 'sloppy' version of an older standard form -- you even find it in the King James Bible (e.g., Paul's words in Philippians - "think on these things")

This is, in fact, the most important point. Because even if someone thinks an expression is "illogical" or fails to follow the normal 'rules' (generalizations), if the SPEAKERS of that language use if and regard it as acceptable, it is! Language is not all about "logic" anyway -- it is a much richer, more complex tool than that.

So I assume your real question is whether the British would treat "think on" as fine for casual conversation, but technically incorrect and to be avoided in formal usage ... whether they would use "think about" in more formal cases. I think not! (but that is a perfectly legitimate question to raise)



#2) There is nothing at all illogical about this use of "on".

Please note that prepositions in English (and in languages generally) each
a) have a whole RANGE of meaning --starting usually with one or a few 'literal' meanings-- and expanding out to MANY extended uses
- Thus the dictionary listings cited below began with a handful of more 'literal' meanings, but include 28 and 30 sublistings for the prepositional use of "on" !

b) overlap with other prepositions, so that it is not at all unusual for different dialects to use different prepositions with a particular verb to express the same sense --or even WITHIN a dialect to vary

c) prepositions FREQUENTLY combine with specific verbs to express special, idiomatic meanings. English has MANY of these "phrasal verbs" ("think on/about" probably doesn't quite qualify, but "think over" and "think through" do)

Note, this does NOT mean a preposition "can mean anything" or that you can simply interchange them at will. There is a RANGE for each, with SOME sort of relationship to the 'core'/original meaning.

Now with a verb like "THINK" you certainly would not expect anything like a "literal" (physical) use of the prepositions!


To see how "think on" can work, note the following dictionary entry with 30(!) listings for the prepositional use of "on". Only the first eight or so are "literal". The following entries are closest to the one found in "think on".

28.(used to indicate the object or end of action, THOUGHT, desire, etc.): 'to gaze on a scene'.
29.(used to indicate subject, reference, or respect): 'views on public matters'.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/on

Or, from this listing -
4.d. Used to indicate the object of perception or thought: gazed on the vista; meditated on his actions.
11. a. Concerning; ABOUT: a book on astronomy.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/on

(Note too the similarity in meaning of "meditate on" and "think about/on".)

And compare how the related NOUN to "think" may be used -- "Please share your thoughts ON [or 'about'] this subject"

--------------

As for "think OF" -- this IS commonly used in both British and American English, e.g., "think of me fondly" and "think of another way to say that". But these cannot simply be interchanged with "think on".

Answer 2

It did not ensue in a second, yet somewhat in the course of the last 2 years, on condition that I took early retirement and performance truly had time to take inventory. genuinely, i'm no longer positive the dawning is extremely finished - very nearly there, yet no longer extremely arrived and not in any respect positive after I ever will! What i have continuously been is a dreamer and an adventurer, continuously believing that a existence-replacing occurence is in basic terms around the nook - even as i will 'arrive' at my genuine vacation spot. The years have exceeded too instantly, yet now, in my later years, i have come to do not ignore that others view my existence as having been very eventful, so i'm starting up to seem at it from a attitude outdoors myself. the outcome brings a element of contentment, yet also the realisation that the very nature of what i have continuously been means that I shall possibly not in any respect thoroughly 'settle in', except I stay to be 80 possibly, even as i look ahead to arrving at the position defined in September's answer!

Answer 3

Prepositions are one of the most irregular parts of the English language. I was always taught to think about the word and the relationship that it's setting up and if that's accurate to what I'm trying to convey and it has been used by others, then it's correct.

Answer 4

As I always understood it, it was proper to "think on" something, similar to how you could also "speak on" something, because the verbs are actually referring to the "topic of" something.

I think when we remove those words, it sounds peculiar.

In any event, if it's become accepted, as an expression, it doesn't matter any longer if it's correct or not, as the answerer above stated. To refer to your actual question, acceptance doesn't necessarily make it correct.

Answer 5

I wouldn't say that it is incorrect, it is just another way of phrasing something.
Most prepositions are interchangeable, and there is no definitive guide for their usage. Therefore, if they say "think on" in the UK it is just as correct as saying "think of" in the US.