I sincerely thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I sincerely thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a genuine belief or assumption you had about something in the past. Example: "I sincerely thought that the meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, not Wednesday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I did not know much of him back then and I sincerely thought he was nuts, but well-informed indeed.

Yale University

I'd left New York City a year earlier to move to Washington, D.C., for what I sincerely thought would be the rest of my life.

The New Yorker

"I sincerely thought it was the last ball I'd touch for a long time because of the pain," the 25-year-old said.

BBC

I sincerely thought I was paying attention to the greatness of it all -- until this past Friday afternoon, that is.

Huffington Post

"I sincerely thought they meant I was gonna get to do the third episode," she said of her reaction.

Huffington Post

"We first used this idea in a sermon illustration video, which I sincerely thought was an original concept developed before the author's article.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"But I sincerely think that this is illogical".

The New York Times

It certainly sounds like a dodge, but I sincerely think we won't know till it happens.

The New Yorker

I sincerely think that the biggest problems we have are how we deal with each other, and how we treat each other.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I think Trump knows he is under-qualified but I sincerely think he will fill his cabinet with people who perform their functions effectively.

The Guardian

I sincerely think that if I hadn't had my family I would have overlooked my work and it would have suffered a little".

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I sincerely thought", ensure the context clearly indicates a past belief that has since been proven incorrect or revised. This adds impact and emphasizes the change in perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "I sincerely thought" to express current beliefs or opinions. This phrase is specifically for past assumptions. Instead, use "I sincerely think" for present-day beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I sincerely thought" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past belief or assumption. It indicates a personal conviction held at a specific time, as seen in Ludwig examples. This usage highlights a change in understanding or perspective.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I sincerely thought" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey a past belief or assumption with genuine conviction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across various contexts. While it's not exceedingly common, appearing with "Uncommon" frequency, it finds its place in news, academic writing, and personal reflections. The phrase serves to highlight a change in understanding or perspective and should be used to express beliefs you held in the past. Common alternatives include "I genuinely believed" and "I honestly thought".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I genuinely believed

Emphasizes the authenticity and honesty of the past belief.

I truly believed

Highlights the truthfulness and conviction behind the past thought.

I honestly thought

Focuses on the speaker's honesty and lack of deception in their past thinking.

I really believed

Adds emphasis to the degree of belief held in the past.

I had always thought

Indicates a long-held belief or assumption that has now changed.

I was under the impression

Suggests a mistaken or inaccurate understanding of something.

I had assumed

Implies a prior expectation or presumption based on limited information.

I was of the opinion

Indicates a formal expression of a previously held viewpoint.

It was my understanding

Highlights a previously held perception or interpretation.

I was convinced

Emphasizes the strong conviction held in the past.

FAQs

What's the difference between "I sincerely thought" and "I sincerely think"?

"I sincerely thought" refers to a belief you held in the past that may no longer be true, while "I sincerely think" expresses a current belief or opinion.

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

You can use alternatives like "I genuinely believed", "I honestly thought", or "I was under the impression" depending on the context.

How do I use "I sincerely thought" in a sentence?

Use "I sincerely thought" to introduce a past belief that you now know to be incorrect. For example, "I sincerely thought the movie would be good, but it was terrible."

Is "I sincerely thought" formal or informal?

"I sincerely thought" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.