I don't think they know it. vs I think they don't know it.

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They have the same meaning but differ in the placement of the negation. The choice between them depends on the emphasis the speaker wants to give to the negation.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 762 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I don't think they know it."

This phrase is used when the speaker wants to emphasize their doubt or uncertainty about whether 'they' know something.

Show examples from the web [+]

There's an old one I love, but I don't think they'll know it.
I don't think they know anything.
The only thing that's important to me are Libby and Anna, and I don't think they know that.
I don't think they know anything happened to them.
I don't think they know how to feel anything.
I don't think they know we're American.
I don't think they know about the pain you're willing to endure.
I don't think they know about the men's tastes.
I don't think they know the location of the kidnappers, or they would have taken Gibson out.
I don't think they know that, luckily, but I would go back and play for Arby's coupons.
I tell them that they're only hurting themselves, but I honestly don't think they know what I'm talking about.
I just don't think they know what they want to do with my character.
I don't think he even knows it.
I don't think they know about the picnic, but see why I don't trust Gabe?
I don't think anyone knows about it.
I don't think he knows.
I don't think she knows.
It's under a false name, and I don't think anyone knows about it.
We're obviously very familiar with what consulting is but why don't you go ahead and tell my friends here, because I don't think that they know.
I don't think I know him.

Alternatives:

I think they don't know it.
I think they might not know it.
I doubt they know it.
They probably don't know it.
It's unlikely that they know it.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I think they don't know it."

This phrase is used when the speaker wants to emphasize their belief that 'they' do not know something.

Show examples from the web [+]

Even when they don't know it.
And mine, except they don't know it.
I just think they see someone they don't know anymore.
You see, people... they don't know things the way that they think they know them.
You have to be subtly abusive so they don't know it.
To somewhere that they don't know me, I think.
Sometimes, I think my people spend so much time trying to save lives, they don't know how to live anymore.
I think we can even the odds a bit, Commander, especially since they don't know we're here.
I don't know how many times I can tell the same stories to a bunch of strangers that think they know me.
If Detective Hoffman or anyone else in this precinct is in danger I think they should know it.
"I think Muriel and Claude... have some feeling for each other... but they don't know it yet."
Those trying to employ them think they don't know enough.
At least they don't know it was you.
- They don't know it's plague.
They don't know it's me.
That's how we have to live now... in the shadows, to save people, even when they don't know it, don't want it.
They are, but they don't know it.
Even after they see me playing it, they don't know it.
RONNIE: They don't know who triggered it.
And I thinks you knows it.

Alternatives:

I don't think they know it.
I believe they don't know it.
They definitely don't know it.
It's clear they don't know it.
There's no way they know it.

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I don't think they know it. vs I think they don't know it.