I mostly thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I mostly thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a predominant or general thought or opinion you had about a subject. Example: "I mostly thought that the meeting would be productive, but it turned out to be quite unhelpful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I mostly thought the former.

The New York Times - Arts

I mostly thought in terms of replacing the "writer" with another occupation.

The New Yorker

But trudging up, amid the pain and vertigo and leering placards of progress (fourth floor, suckah!! Not even halfway!), I mostly thought some variation of "You've got to be kidding me".

The New York Times

I mostly thought that one should take money when it's offered and no one should waste time fussing around over the how and the where, all these reflections are nothing but total hypocrisy and so I ordered the storm windows from my local carpenter..

The New York Times - Books

I knew that Ms. Corman, a friend from my Westchester County neighborhood, had done occasional television and film work in recent years, and a lot as a teenager, but I mostly thought of her as the kind of hands-on mother who had earned the right to give brass-tacks advice ("You'll have crumbs on your floor for the next 10 years; get used to it" was one of the first sentences she said to me).

The New York Times

I mostly thought about the money I could get for college.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Rather an alarmist fear, we mostly thought.

The Guardian - Books

Since TENS, mostly thought has the same mechanism with EA, produced analgesic effect by regulated ERK1/2 signaling pathway, we further investigated EA's effect on the downstream substance of ERK1/2 [ 18].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The technical exegesis seems sometimes dated or misguided, but mostly thought-provoking and ingenious, especially when it challenged the Eurocentric truisms of his time.

The New York Times - Books

I mostly pull my hair when I'm feeling anxious, but also if I'm sad, bored or lost in thought.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I havered (mostly at the thought of coming between her and that throwback Martin she had a new black eye, I didn't ask).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I mostly thought" to express a general or predominant thought you had, especially when you want to acknowledge that other thoughts may have been present but less significant. It adds a nuance of partial agreement or consideration.

Common error

While "I mostly thought" is acceptable, avoid overusing "mostly" in your writing, as it can dilute the impact of your statements. Consider stronger alternatives like "I firmly believed" or "I primarily considered" if your intention is to convey more conviction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I mostly thought" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past belief or opinion. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable English phrase. This usage commonly introduces a sentiment with a degree of reservation or partiality, implying that other considerations might also have been present.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I mostly thought" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-registered expression used to convey a qualified belief or opinion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a variety of contexts. While not as frequent as simpler alternatives, its strength lies in its ability to express a primary thought while acknowledging other considerations. The phrase is most common in news and media sources, indicating a level of widely accessible, yet nuanced, communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I primarily believed

This alternative suggests a stronger degree of belief compared to a passing thought.

I largely considered

Focuses on the act of considering something as the main aspect, implying a more deliberate process.

I generally assumed

Implies a common, but potentially unverified, understanding or expectation.

I mainly figured

This alternative indicates a casual assessment or conclusion.

My chief idea was

Emphasizes that the thought was the main one.

My initial impression was

Highlights the thought as a first impression.

I had a prevailing notion

Indicates that the thought was dominant at the time.

I fundamentally understood

Highlights a basic level of understanding.

I predominantly felt

Shifts the focus from thought to feeling, expressing a primary emotional response.

I commonly supposed

Suggests a shared or widely held belief that the speaker also held.

FAQs

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

Use "I mostly thought" to express a predominant or general thought you had, especially when other considerations may have influenced your overall opinion. For example, "I mostly thought the presentation was well-prepared, although some sections needed more clarity."

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

You can use alternatives like "I primarily believed", "I largely considered", or "My initial impression was", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I mostly thought" or "I thought mostly"?

"I mostly thought" is generally preferred, as it places emphasis on the predominant nature of the thought. "I thought mostly" is grammatically correct, but its meaning is more ambiguous and can imply that thinking was the primary activity.

What's the difference between "I mostly thought" and "I completely thought"?

"I mostly thought" indicates a predominant or general thought, while "I completely thought" suggests a full and absolute belief. The former acknowledges other possible considerations, while the latter implies certainty.