I definitely thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I definitely thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong conviction or belief about a past thought or opinion. Example: "I definitely thought we would win the game after our strong performance in the first half."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Yes, I definitely thought about his memoir.

The New Yorker

"I definitely thought about it," Roddick said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I definitely thought I got fouled," Williams said.

The New York Times - Sports

Redknapp added: "I definitely thought his career was over.

Independent

"I definitely thought that I had a layup".

The New York Times - Sports

"I definitely thought about it [retiring]," she said.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

I definitely think that.

The New York Times - Sports

"Yes, I definitely think so".

The Guardian - Music

"I definitely think there is reasonable doubt.

Independent

I definitely think it caters to us.

The New York Times - Sports

I definitely think the appetite is there".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I definitely thought" to clearly express a past belief or assumption, ensuring your statement is direct and unambiguous. For example, "I definitely thought the project would be completed on time, given the team's initial progress."

Common error

Avoid using "I definitely thought" when expressing a tentative or uncertain opinion. "Definitely" implies strong conviction, so using it in situations where you had doubts can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I definitely thought" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past belief or opinion with emphasis. The adverb "definitely" intensifies the verb "thought", indicating a strong conviction. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I definitely thought" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a strong past belief or opinion. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely accepted and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's generally neutral in register, writers should be mindful of overusing "definitely" in situations where their belief was not truly strong. Alternatives such as "I firmly believed" or "I was certain" can provide similar emphasis. When in doubt about formal contexts, consider a more neutral option like "It was my understanding."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I firmly believed

Emphasizes the strength and conviction of the belief.

I was convinced

Highlights the state of being persuaded or certain about something.

I was certain

Stresses the lack of doubt in the belief.

I truly believed

Adds a sense of sincerity and honesty to the belief.

I really believed

Emphasizes the genuine nature of the belief.

I had no doubt

Indicates a complete absence of uncertainty.

I was under the impression

Suggests a belief based on incomplete information or assumption.

It was my understanding

Highlights that the belief was based on a specific comprehension of the situation.

I had the feeling

Implies the belief was based on intuition or a general sense.

I came to the conclusion

Indicates that the belief was the result of reasoning or deliberation.

FAQs

How can I use "I definitely thought" in a sentence?

You can use "I definitely thought" to express a strong past belief or opinion. For instance, "I definitely thought the movie was going to be a success because of the positive reviews."

What phrases are similar to "I definitely thought"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I firmly believed", "I was certain", or "I truly believed", each conveying a strong sense of past conviction.

Is it okay to use "I definitely thought" in formal writing?

While "I definitely thought" is acceptable in most contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "I was convinced" or "It was my understanding" in highly formal or academic writing to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "I definitely thought" and "I thought"?

"I definitely thought" expresses a stronger conviction than simply "I thought". The word "definitely" emphasizes the certainty of your past belief, while "I thought" is more neutral. For instance, compare "I thought it would rain" with "I definitely thought it would rain".