I suspected that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I suspected that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used when a speaker is discussing something that they had previously thought was true, but were not certain. For example, "I suspected that the package had already been delivered, so I checked the tracking number".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

I said I suspected that was unlikely.

The New Yorker

Yes QV, I suspected that might be the case.

BBC

But I suspected that wasn't the answer the program was looking for.

Forbes

I suspected that it wouldn't be.

The New York Times - Magazine

I suspected that Annie felt the same.

The New York Times

But I suspected that she didn't believe me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

I suspect that would happen.

The New York Times

Why do I suspect that?

The New Yorker

I suspect that will continue.

The New York Times - Tech

I suspect that's too simple.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I suspect that will continue," he said.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I suspected that" to express a belief or hunch based on some evidence, but without complete certainty. It's useful when you want to convey a sense of cautious anticipation or inference.

Common error

Avoid using "I suspected that" when you have definitive proof or knowledge. Opt for stronger phrases like "I knew that" or "I confirmed that" to reflect the actual level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I suspected that" functions as a clause introducer, indicating the speaker's past feeling, belief, or anticipation about something. This is evident in various examples from Ludwig, where it prefaces an explanation of what the speaker thought to be the case.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I suspected that" is a versatile phrase used to express a past feeling of uncertainty or anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage. It is particularly common in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a lack of complete certainty, and consider alternatives like "I believed that" or "I presumed that" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful not to overstate your certainty when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had a suspicion that

Emphasizes a pre-existing feeling or hunch.

I had a hunch that

Similar to "I had a suspicion", but often more intuitive and less reasoned.

I had a feeling that

Indicates an intuitive sense or premonition.

I had an inkling that

Suggests a vague or slight idea that something is the case.

I believed that

Implies a degree of trust or confidence, although not necessarily certainty.

I anticipated that

Highlights expectation or prediction of a future event.

I guessed that

Indicates a conclusion based on incomplete information or conjecture.

I presumed that

Suggests an assumption made in the absence of concrete evidence.

I figured that

Implies a conclusion reached through reasoning or calculation.

I imagined that

Indicates a thought or idea formed in the mind, often without a basis in reality.

FAQs

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

Use "I suspected that" to introduce a thought or belief you held without absolute proof, for example, "I suspected that the meeting would be delayed because of the weather".

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

In formal contexts, consider using "I presumed that" or "I surmised that" to convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is it correct to say "I suspect that" instead of "I suspected that"?

Yes, "I suspect that" is the present tense form, used for current suspicions, while "I suspected that" is the past tense, used for suspicions held in the past. The choice depends on the time frame you're referring to.

Can I use "I suspected that" to express a strong conviction?

While "I suspected that" implies a belief, it doesn't convey strong conviction. If you have strong certainty, phrases like "I was certain that" or "I knew that" are more appropriate.