student asking question

What does this expression mean?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Excellent question. Usually when we say we "think a lot of" someone or something, it means that we have a very good opinion about someone or something, it is a positive thing. It is usually a way of saying you admire, or respect someone or something. Ex: The teacher thinks a lot of Mary and her talents. However, when it is used about yourself, it means having or showing an too good an opinion about yourself. So it has a negative meaning. A person who thinks a lot of themselves is vain or overconfident, which are negative things. Ex: He's actually not a good chef but he thinks a lot of himself.

Popular Q&As

03/23

Complete the expression with a quiz!