thing

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   An object, item, or entity whose exact name is unknown, unnecessary, or not specific.

   Grammar: Plural is “things”; use it when no more exact noun is needed.

   Patterns

   • a thing
   • one thing
   • that thing over there

   What is that thing on the desk?

   I have one thing to do before dinner.

2. 2nouncountable

   A matter, subject, activity, or piece of business being considered.

   Grammar: Common in “the thing is...” to introduce the main point.

   Patterns

   • the thing is
   • the whole thing
   • the first thing

   The thing is, we do not have enough time.

   Let us finish the whole thing tomorrow morning.

3. 3nounusually plural

   A personal belonging or possession, often small items.

   Grammar: Use “things” for belongings; singular “thing” usually means one object.

   Patterns

   • pack your things
   • leave your things
   • things to carry

   She packed her things and moved to a smaller apartment.

   Do not leave your things on the bus.

4. 4nouncountable

   A fact, quality, idea, or feature of a situation.

   Grammar: Often followed by “about” or a clause explaining the idea.

   Patterns

   • the thing about something
   • a strange thing
   • the good thing

   The good thing about email is that it leaves a record.

   The strange thing was that nobody heard the door.

Word forms

Common combinations

the thing is

The thing is, we forgot to reserve a table.

first thing

I will call the bank first thing tomorrow.

pack your things

Pack your things before the taxi arrives.

one more thing

There is one more thing I want to check.

Synonyms and how they differ

object

More exact for a physical item; “thing” can also mean ideas or matters.

item

Useful for one entry on a list or in a report; more formal than “thing.”

possession

Specifically refers to belongings, not to ideas or activities.

Word family

thingy noun

Informal word for a thing whose name you forget; avoid in formal writing.

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “thing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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