〜ようと思(おも)う

How to form it

• Put the verb in the volitional form and add と思(おも)う: 行(い)こうと思(おも)う.
• と思(おも)います often shows a decision made as you speak; と思(おも)っています shows an intention you have had for a while.
• For someone else's intention, use と思(おも)っている: 彼(かれ)は留学(りゅうがく)しようと思(おも)っている (he's thinking of studying abroad).

Examples

Common mistakes

• Using the dictionary form. 行(い)くと思(おも)う means "I think (someone) will go"; say 行(い)こうと思(おも)う.

Similar meaning

• 〜つもりintend to

  "Intend to": a settled plan, sounding firmer.

Same form, different meaning

• 〜と思(おも)うthink that

  Plain form + と思(おも)う: "I think that…".