I imagine that

USAGE SUMMARY

"I imagine that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express hypothetical statements or possibilities. For example: "I imagine that the new restaurant will be a great success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I imagine that could be enervating".

Independent

I imagine that could be very lonely".

The Guardian - Travel

I imagine that would depend on the individual photographer.

The New Yorker

I imagine that makes you more attractive to Hollywood.

The New York Times

I imagine that makes for a lonely road at times.

The New York Times

I imagine that would be not too thrilling a proposition".

The Guardian - Film

I imagine that sounds quite unattractive itself to modern ears.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I imagine that would create a tremendous moral dilemma".

The New York Times

To most ears, I imagine that sounds pretty good.

The Guardian

I imagine that didn't make much sense!

Huffington Post

I imagine that they like their privacy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, follow "I imagine that" with a clear and concise statement. Ensure the rest of your sentence provides enough context for the reader to understand your imagination's focus.

Common error

While "I imagine that" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal contexts like academic papers or business reports. Instead, opt for stronger verbs like 'hypothesize', 'estimate', or 'conclude' to lend more authority to your statements.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I imagine that" is to introduce a clause expressing a subjective opinion, belief, or supposition. It serves to soften the assertion, indicating that the statement is not based on concrete evidence but rather on imagination or assumption. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I imagine that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a supposition or belief, especially when lacking concrete evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and applicable in various writing contexts. While "I imagine that" is prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business domains, its register is considered neutral, suitable for diverse scenarios. When writing, be mindful of its overuse, especially in formal settings, and consider stronger alternatives to maintain authority. The frequent presence of this phrase across authoritative sources like The New Yorker and The New York Times underscores its widespread acceptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I presume that

Emphasizes an assumption based on probability, but without concrete proof.

I suppose that

Indicates a tentative belief or assumption, often without strong evidence.

I believe that

Conveys a stronger sense of conviction or personal opinion.

I suspect that

Implies a cautious or doubtful estimation, often based on intuition.

I gather that

Suggests forming an opinion or conclusion based on available information.

I anticipate that

Highlights expectation of a future event or outcome.

I expect that

Expresses a reasonable belief something will happen.

I reckon that

Suggests a casual or informal estimation or calculation.

It is my understanding that

Highlights the information received and the interpretation of the same.

In my opinion

Highlights the personal judgment in the phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "I imagine that" in a sentence?

"I imagine that" is typically used to express a supposition or belief that isn't based on concrete evidence. For example, "I imagine that the new policy will improve efficiency."

What's a more formal alternative to "I imagine that"?

For more formal writing, you can use phrases like "I presume that", "I hypothesize that", or "I postulate that" depending on the context.

How does "I imagine that" differ from "I think that"?

"I imagine that" often implies a higher degree of speculation or uncertainty compared to "I think that", which can suggest a more considered opinion. "I think that" expresses personal judgment, while "I imagine that" introduces a supposition.

Is it correct to use "I imagine that" in academic writing?

While acceptable, overuse can weaken your argument. In academic writing, consider stronger alternatives such as "I postulate that", "I propose that", or "the evidence suggests" to present ideas with more authority.