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Thinking French Verb
The regular -er verb penser, "to think," is ubiquitous and very useful, but can also be a little tricky when it comes to prepositions.
Penser = to think
Penser is used just like "to think."
Par exemple…
Je pense, donc je suis. | I think, therefore I am. | |
Il pense que tu as raison. | He thinks you’re right. | |
Pensez-vous qu’elle le sache ? | Do you think she knows? |
Penser que + indicative or subjunctive?
Penser + infinitive
Penser followed directly by an infinitive means "to intend / plan to" or "to hope to":
Je pense partir avant la fin. | I’m planning to leave before the end. | |
Nous pensons voyager cet été. | We’re hoping to travel this summer. |
Penser à
In front of a noun, penser à means "to think about" as in "to consider, have on one’s mind":
Je pense à mes enfants. | I’m thinking about my children. | |
Nous pensons à Paris pour cet été. | We’re thinking about Paris for this summer, thinking about going to Paris this summer. |
The noun may be implied:
À quoi tu penses ? | What are you thinking about? | |
Pensez-y. | Think about it, Consider it. |
Remember: à + noun can be replaced by the adverbial pronoun y.
Penser à plus an infinitive means "to have in mind to" or "to remember to":
Je pense à partir avant la fin. | I’m considering leaving before the end. | |
Pense à acheter les billets. | Remember to buy the tickets. |
Penser de
With a noun, penser de means "to think about" in the sense of "having an opinion on":
Qu’est-ce que tu penses de ce livre ? | What do you think about this book? | |
Nous ne savons pas ce qu’il pense de Paris. | We don’t know what he thinks about Paris. |
Remember: de + noun can be replaced by the adverbial pronoun en.
Qu’en pensez-vous ? | What do you think (about it)? | |
Je me demande ce qu’elle en pense. | I wonder what she thinks about it. |
Penser de plus an infinitive means "to have an opinion about doing" or "to consider doing":
Qu’est-ce que tu penses de partir tôt ? | What do you think / How do you feel about leaving early? | |
Nous pensons d’aller à Paris cet été. | We’re thinking about going to Paris this summer. |
Related lessons
- Penser conjugations
- Expressions with penser
- Expressing opinions
- Adverbial pronouns
- Asking questions
- Prepositions
- Regular -er verbs
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