Everybody Think vs. Everybody Thinks – Which is Correct?
When choosing between “everybody think” and “everybody thinks,” use “everybody thinks” in standard English. “Everybody” is an indefinite pronoun that takes a singular verb, even though it refers to many people. Use “think” only after plural subjects, modal verbs, auxiliaries, or infinitive constructions, such as “they think” or “to think.”
Everybody Think or Thinks – Which is Correct?
Everybody thinks is correct when “everybody” is the subject of a statement. Although “everybody” refers to many individuals, it is grammatically singular and requires the singular verb form thinks.
The word think is also correct, but it cannot normally follow everybody directly in a standard affirmative sentence. It appears after plural subjects, modal verbs, auxiliary verbs, and infinitive markers.
- Correct: Everybody thinks the plan will work.
- Incorrect in standard English: Everybody think the plan will work.
- Correct with a plural subject: They think the plan will work.
- Correct after a modal: Everybody should think carefully.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the he-or-she swap test. Replace “everybody” with “he” or “she.” Because you would say “he thinks” and “she thinks,” you should also say “everybody thinks.” Remember: the ending -s belongs to the verb when the subject is singular in the present tense.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| think | Verb | To have an opinion, belief, or thought | They think the answer is correct. |
| thinks | Third-person singular present-tense verb | Has an opinion, belief, or thought | Everybody thinks the answer is correct. |
How to Use Think
Think is the base form of the verb. Use it with plural subjects such as they, we, and people. It also follows modal verbs such as can, could, should, and might, as well as the infinitive marker to.
In everyday and formal English, think can describe having an opinion, using judgment, remembering, considering an idea, or forming a mental image.
Example 1: They think the meeting starts at nine.
Example 2: We should think about the consequences.
Example 3: I need time to think before answering.
What are the different forms of Think?
Think is an irregular verb. Its main forms are think for the base form, thinks for the third-person singular present tense, thought for both the simple past and past participle, and thinking for the present participle or gerund.
| Verb Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Base form: think | They think carefully. |
| Third-person singular: thinks | She thinks carefully. |
| Past tense: thought | He thought carefully. |
| Present participle: thinking | They are thinking carefully. |
Etymology of the word Think
Think comes from the Old English verb thencan, meaning “to conceive in the mind” or “consider.” It is related to thought, the past-tense form, and has retained its irregular conjugation throughout the development of English.
How to Use Thinks
Thinks is the third-person singular present-tense form of think. Use it with singular subjects, including he, she, it, singular nouns, and indefinite pronouns such as everybody, everyone, someone, and nobody.
The form thinks is appropriate in casual conversation, academic writing, business communication, journalism, and other standard varieties of English.
Example 1: Everybody thinks the new policy is reasonable.
Example 2: She thinks you already received the message.
Example 3: Nobody thinks the problem will disappear by itself.
What are the different forms of Thinks?
Thinks is not a separate verb; it is one form of the irregular verb think. It is used only in the present tense with a third-person singular subject. The other forms include think, thought, and thinking.
Do not use thinks after a modal or auxiliary verb. For example, say “Everybody can think independently,” not “Everybody can thinks independently.”
Etymology of the word Thinks
Thinks developed from think plus the Old English third-person singular present-tense ending. Modern English uses the spelling -s to mark this form, while the verb’s past forms remain irregular: thought and thought.
Related Concepts
Understanding subject-verb agreement and indefinite pronouns makes the difference between “everybody think” and “everybody thinks” easy to remember.
- Subject-verb agreement: A verb must match its subject in number. A singular subject takes a singular present-tense verb, while a plural subject takes the base form.
- Indefinite pronouns: Words such as everybody, everyone, and someone refer to people generally but are grammatically singular.
- Third-person singular verbs: In the simple present tense, most verbs take -s or -es after he, she, it, and singular nouns.
- Modal verbs: After can, could, may, might, should, and similar verbs, use the base form: “Everybody should think,” not “Everybody should thinks.”
Examples from Media and Literature
The following examples show how the correct form works in discussions of literature, film, journalism, and everyday media.
- Literary discussion: Everybody thinks the narrator in The Great Gatsby is reliable at first, but later evidence creates doubt.
- Film review: Everybody thinks the hero will return in the final scene.
- News report: Everybody thinks the decision will affect local businesses, according to the report.
- Television commentary: Everybody thinks the season finale answered the central question.
- Public discussion: Everybody thinks the novel’s ending is open to interpretation.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
- Everybody ______ the restaurant is too expensive. (think / thinks)
- They ______ the restaurant is worth visiting. (think / thinks)
- Everybody should ______ carefully before voting. (think / thinks)
- She ______ the instructions are confusing. (think / thinks)
- Nobody can ______ of a better solution. (think / thinks)
Answer Key
- thinks — “Everybody” is grammatically singular.
- think — “They” is plural.
- think — The base form follows the modal verb “should.”
- thinks — “She” is third-person singular.
- think — The base form follows the modal verb “can.”
Think Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Believe | To accept something as true or likely. |
| Consider | To examine an idea or possibility carefully. |
| Suppose | To assume or believe something, often tentatively. |
| Reflect | To think deeply or carefully about something. |
Thinks Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Believes | Accepts something as true or likely. |
| Considers | Examines an idea or possibility carefully. |
| Supposes | Assumes or believes something, often tentatively. |
| Reflects | Thinks deeply or carefully about something. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “everybody think” grammatically correct?
No. In a standard affirmative sentence, “everybody” is singular, so the correct form is “everybody thinks.” However, “think” is correct after a modal verb, as in “Everybody should think carefully.”
Question 2: Why does “everybody” take a singular verb?
“Everybody” is an indefinite pronoun treated as singular in English grammar. That is why we say “everybody is,” “everybody has,” and “everybody thinks,” even though the word refers to many people.
Question 3: Should I say “everybody thinks” or “everyone thinks”?
Both are correct and have the same basic meaning. “Everybody thinks” and “everyone thinks” both use the singular verb thinks. The choice is usually a matter of style rather than grammar.
Conclusion
Use “everybody thinks” when “everybody” is the subject because this indefinite pronoun requires a singular verb. Use think with plural subjects or after modal and auxiliary verbs. Pro Tip: Applying subject-verb agreement consistently strengthens your professional writing and protects your credibility.
