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When a native American English speaker says the following phrase

I'm beginning to think ( that ) ...

I still don't really know if they always used it in the same way regardless of whatever kind of context it's used in. But I'll provide you with the context in which it's been used in (Just in case it has more than one possible use or meaning).

It's been used in in the beginning of the 1st ep of a Japanese anime series that some of you have probably heard of and watched, called "Ouran HighSchool Host club"

I think the context begins from "1:17m" to "1:57m".

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    Note that "Native American" usually refers to someone who is ethnically American Indian. Instead you can say something like "A native English speaker from America", to remove any confusion.
    – Andrew
    Commented Apr 27, 2019 at 16:25
  • I see. I should be more careful next time , How about now?? Is it any clearer now ? And are u a native Am Eng Speaker yourself? got any Possible answer for me here or maybe even some Possibly useful tips that could help me out on this ? And tanks for that!!
    – Houssam Bouazizi
    Commented Apr 27, 2019 at 16:32
  • I am a native English speaker, and I am American, but I'm not Native American :) In any case I wouldn't worry about who is answering your question. The community will upvote a correct answer from any source, and downvote those that are not correct. After all, there are many non-native English speakers whose English is far superior to many native speakers. Also, I think this is a common English expression, not American slang.
    – Andrew
    Commented Apr 27, 2019 at 16:38
  • I see. But does that mean that u cant really help me at all here for now with my Question Here or wat? I mean, since you're a native Am.Eng Speaker yourself. I'm Just trying to see here if u Native Am.Eng Speakers really use it in only one possible way regardless of what the context might be said in. U see , i Just started watching the 1st ep of this Jap Anime Series and I'm trying to learn and understand some English along the way. And i only prefer an answer from a native Am.Eng Speaker only because i wouldn't really risk getting any incorrect or incomplete answer from a non-native one.
    – Houssam Bouazizi
    Commented Apr 27, 2019 at 16:46
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    Please refrain from using "jap". It is a racial slur targeting several groups of people. It is not a good idea to use it, ever, as a shorthand or even in chatspeak. I have changed it to "Japanese"
    – Eddie Kal
    Commented Apr 27, 2019 at 17:05

1 Answer 1

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The common English phrase "I'm beginning to think that ..." is kind of a standard or set phrase, and the meaning does not normally change with context. It is not in any way a uniquely American expression, as it's used by all English speakers. It simply means:

I have recently had the particular thought that ...

or

My thoughts have recently included certain things such as ...

This structure can be used with many cognitive verbs:

I'm beginning to feel that ...

I'm beginning to understand that ...

I'm beginning to suspect that ...

The difference between "I'm beginning to think that ..." and "I'm thinking that ..." is the nuance of recent or just started. It often implies a change in thought based on new information.

And yesterday I was sure I tasted arsenic in my afternoon tea. I can't be sure, Holmes, but I'm beginning to think that my wife doesn't love me any more.

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  • Tanks a lot for your help Andrew !! I really appreciate it!!
    – Houssam Bouazizi
    Commented Apr 27, 2019 at 17:21
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    + 1 but You might want to add: in any variety of English. It is most definitely not just "American" English.
    – Lambie
    Commented Apr 27, 2019 at 17:33
  • @Lambie Oh!! okay then, Tanks for letting me know that!!
    – Houssam Bouazizi
    Commented Apr 29, 2019 at 19:49

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