I remember thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I remember thinking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that you recall or remember something that you thought in the past. For example, "I remember thinking how excited I was to visit the Grand Canyon for the first time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I remember thinking.

The New Yorker

"I remember thinking: 'Wow.

The Guardian - Film

I remember thinking, "Bowie?

The Guardian - Music

Yes, I remember thinking.

The New Yorker

I remember thinking: "Really?

The New York Times

"I remember thinking: 'Why?

The New York Times

"And I remember thinking: 'Ah.

Independent

Come on, I remember thinking.

The New Yorker

I remember thinking, How clever!

The New Yorker

I remember thinking "third world".

Independent

I remember thinking that myself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I remember thinking" to introduce a thought you had in the past, providing context and reflecting on your previous mindset.

Common error

While useful, repeatedly starting sentences with "I remember thinking" can make your writing monotonous. Vary your sentence structure by occasionally describing the situation or your feelings without explicitly stating that you were thinking about it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I remember thinking" serves as a narrative device, introducing a thought that the speaker or writer had at some point in the past. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and functions to set the stage for a recollection or reflection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I remember thinking" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a past thought or reflection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely employed, especially in news and media contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, writers should vary sentence structure to avoid monotony and consider more formal alternatives for academic or scientific writing. Understanding its function and communicative purpose enhances your ability to express your thoughts effectively. Remember to use it to share past thoughts in a clear and engaging manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I recall thinking

Replaces "remember" with "recall", offering a slightly more formal tone while retaining the core meaning of recollecting a thought.

I recollect thinking

Uses "recollect" for a more emphatic and formal way to say "remember", still indicating a recalled thought.

I thought back then

Simplifies the structure by directly stating a past thought without explicitly mentioning the act of remembering.

At the time, I was thinking

Adds a temporal marker ("at the time") to emphasize the past context of the thought, providing more detail.

My initial thought was

Highlights the thought as the first reaction to something, focusing on the immediacy of the thought process.

Looking back, I thought

Uses "looking back" to frame the thought from a retrospective viewpoint, emphasizing reflection.

As I recall, I was thinking

Combines "as I recall" to soften the statement, indicating the memory might not be perfect but is still being presented.

It comes to mind that I thought

Uses a more roundabout way to express the memory of a thought, making it sound more casual and less direct.

The thought that crossed my mind was

Elaborates on the origin of the thought, suggesting it spontaneously appeared in one's mind.

What I had in mind at the time was

Shifts focus to the intention or plan that was in mind, rather than just a fleeting thought.

FAQs

How can I use "I remember thinking" in a sentence?

Use "I remember thinking" to introduce a past thought or realization. For example, "I remember thinking, 'This is more difficult than I expected'". It sets the stage for sharing a specific thought you had at a particular time.

What phrases are similar to "I remember thinking"?

Similar phrases include "I recall thinking", "I thought at the time", or "I thought to myself". The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "I remembered thinking" grammatically correct?

"I remembered thinking" is grammatically correct, but less common than "I remember thinking". The former emphasizes the act of recalling a past thought, while the latter focuses on the thought itself.

What's the difference between "I remember thinking" and "I think"?

"I think" expresses a current thought or opinion, whereas "I remember thinking" refers to a thought you had in the past. The former is about your present state of mind, and the latter is about a past state of mind.