I initially thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I initially thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate something that you already thought before learning something new. For example: "I initially thought the project would take a few days, but it took several weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I initially thought it was a joke," he says.

The Economist

"I initially thought that somebody reached over," Gaston said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I initially thought Oxford wouldn't look at me," she said.

The Guardian

"I initially thought it was the president," recalled Representative Joseph Crowley, Democrat of Queens.

The New York Times

The usher, who I initially thought was pretty — Hi, dear! — is escorting us out.

The New Yorker

I initially thought they were just stories but they're not; they're basically porn.

The Guardian

I initially thought this a fault but now see it as part of the film's honesty.

The Guardian - Film

"The impact was so great," she says, "that I initially thought I had broken my nose and lost teeth".

The New York Times - Magazine

Assembled in front of St. Jean Baptiste Church, they were part of a wedding, I initially thought.

The New York Times

"I initially thought it was a drive-shaft failure, but it now appears that it was a gearbox problem".

The New York Times - Sports

"When my boss suggested transferring me to Romania, I initially thought, 'You must be kidding,' " Mr. de Marco said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I initially thought", follow it up with the revised understanding or current perspective to provide a complete picture.

Common error

Avoid stating what you initially thought without explaining how your opinion or understanding has changed. Failing to provide the updated view leaves the reader without a clear resolution or understanding of your current stance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I initially thought" functions as a declarative statement introducing a past belief or assumption that has since changed. This expression is used to preface a shift in understanding or perspective, which is supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I initially thought" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a change in perspective or a revised understanding. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to set up a contrast between a past belief and a current one, commonly found in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, it's best practice to follow it up with the updated view to provide a complete picture. Common alternatives include "at first I believed" and "my first thought was". Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My first thought was

Focuses directly on the very first thought.

At first I believed

Emphasizes the beginning of a belief that later changed.

My initial impression was

Focuses on the first impression someone had.

Originally, I assumed

Highlights the original assumption made.

I had presumed at the start

Stresses the presumption made at the beginning.

In the beginning I considered

Highlights the initial consideration of something.

To begin with, I imagined

Focuses on the initial imagination or idea.

I formerly conceived

Indicates a previous conception or understanding.

I had previously envisioned

Highlights a prior vision or mental image.

Initially, it seemed to me

Emphasizes how something appeared at first.

FAQs

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

Use "I initially thought" to introduce a belief or understanding you held before gaining new information or experiencing something different. For example, "I initially thought the meeting would be boring, but it turned out to be very productive".

What are some alternatives to "I initially thought"?

You can use alternatives like "at first I believed", "my initial impression was", or "originally I assumed" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "I initially thought" is acceptable in formal writing when you need to convey a change in perspective. However, ensure the overall tone remains professional and clear.

What's the difference between "I initially thought" and "I later realized"?

"I initially thought" introduces a prior belief, while "I later realized" emphasizes the moment of understanding or realization. They both indicate a shift in understanding but focus on different aspects of the change.