I even thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I even thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a surprising or unexpected realization or consideration that one had. Example: "I even thought about quitting my job to pursue my passion for painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I even thought I heard a crack.

The New Yorker

I even thought about committing suicide".

The New York Times

I even thought she might go thermonuclear.

The Guardian - Film

I even thought about selling the company.

The Guardian

"I even thought about that with Barry.

The New York Times - Sports

We could be laughing about this, I even thought.

The New Yorker

Yuck, wow, I can't believe I even thought that up.

The New Yorker

I even thought it could be in the house.

The Guardian

I even thought of giving him a hunchback, and I'm glad I didn't!

Independent

I even thought of quitting politics on three separate occasions, but I didn't.

Independent

It had been years since I even thought of the affair.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I even thought" to introduce a surprising or unexpected consideration, adding emphasis to the idea or action that followed.

Common error

While versatile, "I even thought" can sound less formal. In academic or professional contexts, consider alternatives like "I also considered" or "I further contemplated" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I even thought" functions as a subject-verb construction that introduces a thought or consideration, often one that is surprising, unexpected, or additional to previous thoughts. It's used to express what one was thinking, as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I even thought" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce a surprising or unexpected thought. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression frequently appears in news and media, as well as scientific and formal business contexts. When writing, be mindful of the register; while generally neutral, alternatives might be more appropriate for highly formal settings. Consider variations like "I even considered" or "It occurred to me" for subtle changes in meaning. Remember that "I even thought" sets the stage for introducing a thought or idea that might not be immediately apparent or expected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had even considered

Replaces 'thought' with 'considered', implying a more deliberate assessment.

I had even contemplated

Implies a deeper and more serious level of thinking about something.

I had even imagined

Replaces 'thought' with 'imagined', suggesting a mental visualization or creative consideration.

I had not even dreamed

Emphasizes the unlikelihood of the thought or event.

I had even presumed

Suggests an assumption or expectation, possibly without concrete evidence.

It crossed my mind

Indicates a brief or fleeting consideration.

It occurred to me

Denotes a thought that suddenly came to mind.

I briefly entertained the notion

Highlights a short-lived consideration of an idea.

It struck me

Emphasizes the suddenness and impact of the thought.

I began to suspect

Highlights the beginning of a feeling or belief, often based on limited evidence.

FAQs

What does "I even thought" mean?

The phrase "I even thought" expresses a surprising or unexpected consideration that someone had. It indicates that the thought was perhaps unlikely or an additional consideration beyond what was initially expected.

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

You can use "I even thought" to introduce a thought, idea, or action that was not initially considered or expected. For example, "I was so frustrated, "I even thought about quitting"."

What can I say instead of "I even thought"?

You can use alternatives such as "I also thought", "I even considered", or "It occurred to me" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I even thought about" followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing)?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. For example, "I even thought about moving" is perfectly acceptable.