Guide 115 / 200 4 alternatives 2-minute read
Better ways to say “I think”
Two words that can soften every claim that follows.
i · Why avoid itTwo lines, no filler
"I think" is useful once per email. Used often, it reads as lack of confidence. If the claim is a fact, state it; if it's a judgement, say "I judge" or "I argue" — the verb names the kind of thinking.
ii · Before & afterDrop-in demo
Before
I think we should delay the launch.
After
We should delay the launch — the QA queue is too deep.
iii · The alternatives4 ways out
- 01I recommend formal
firmer, advisory
I recommend we delay.
- 02I judge formal
explicitly an evaluation
I judge the risk acceptable.
- 03I believe neutral
personal view, slightly firmer than "think"
I believe the numbers will hold.
- 04[delete it] neutral
when the claim is self-evident
We should delay the launch.
iv · Brew tipKeep this one
If "I think" appears more than once per paragraph, delete all but the most critical instance.