I think him to be about 50 or "I think he is about 50"?

Question

I have two options. Which one is correct? >a) I think him to be about 50. b) I think he is about 50. If both are correct, should I avoid one or the other?

Answer 1

A few basic reasons for choosing the latter "I think he is about 50."

1) The second sentence is more concise. Generally, the more directly something can be said, the bettter because the meaning is clear.

2) Grammatically, the sentence structure involves indirect objects with pronouns. Both sentences use a pronoun "he" or "him" so both use indirect objects. Phrases with indirect objects are prepositional phrases without the words to or for. So you would not use "to be" making the 1st sentence incorrect.

3) The words "to be" are a verb indicating some type of action (or state of being) is occurring. The "he/him" are not actually doing anything in this sentence so shouldn't be attached to a verb. Age is also a description, so needs to be modified with an adjective. The second sentence answers the question "what is he?" with "He is about 50. "

Hope this helps clarify for you.