I then thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I then thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a moment of reflection or consideration that follows a previous action or thought. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I then thought about the implications of my findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

"If I had any good thoughts about Mr Braley before, I then thought, 'Can't we just be neighbours and all get along?'" says Kim Pendarvis.

BBC

'I then thought, "Oh my God!

The Guardian

I then thought to myself, 'What if I tried street photography in the game?

Independent

"I then thought it should be a celebration and introduced the bright cheery colors".

The New York Times

I then thought, shit, this is me and I'm going to have to resign".

The Guardian

"I then thought about the Syrian refugees being resettled in the US, and how they probably made the best hummus".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

I then think visually about the post.

TechCrunch

I think and then think some more.

Huffington Post

"Then I thought, I can do this.

The New York Times - Magazine

And then I thought: Yes, I am.

The New Yorker

I tried Adams, Hancock... then I thought of Mad Anthony Wayne".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I then thought" to clearly indicate a sequence of thought, showing how one idea led to another. This helps in creating a logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "I then thought" repeatedly in adjacent sentences. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement. Instead of repeating the phrase, consider using synonyms like "subsequently, I considered" or rephrasing the sentence to imply the sequence of thought without explicitly stating it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I then thought" functions as a narrative device, typically used to express a subsequent thought or realization in a sequence of events. It clearly indicates a chronological order of mental processes. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

20%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I then thought" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a subsequent thought or realization. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It functions as a narrative device to relate a personal thought process. While versatile across different registers, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. To enhance writing clarity, consider varying the phrase with alternatives like "subsequently I considered" or "my next thought was", and avoid overuse in close succession to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My next thought was

Directly indicates the immediate next thought in a sequence of thoughts.

Subsequently, I considered

Replaces "then" with "subsequently" and "thought" with "considered", emphasizing the sequential nature of the reflection.

Following that, I reflected

Uses "following that" to highlight the temporal sequence and "reflected" to emphasize deep thought.

Thereafter, I reasoned

Emphasizes the logical progression of thought and the act of reasoning.

After that, I came to the conclusion

Highlights the arrival at a specific conclusion after a period of consideration.

Upon further reflection, I believed

Emphasizes the act of deeper reflection leading to a belief.

It then occurred to me

Shifts the focus to the sudden realization or idea that came to mind.

I later surmised

Implies a more speculative or inferential type of thinking at a later point.

I began to consider

Highlights the start of a thought process after a certain point.

That made me think

This phrase suggests that a previous event or statement prompted the subsequent thought.

FAQs

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

Use "I then thought" to introduce a thought that occurred after a previous action or realization. For example, "I reviewed the data, and "I then thought" about the potential implications."

What are some alternatives to "I then thought"?

Alternatives include "subsequently I considered", "thereafter I reasoned", or "my next thought was", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "I thought then" instead of "I then thought"?

While "I thought then" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""I then thought"" is the more common and natural-sounding phrasing in contemporary English. "I thought then" might be used in specific, less common contexts to emphasize the time of the thought.

What is the difference between "I then thought" and "I later thought"?

""I then thought"" suggests the thought occurred immediately or very soon after a preceding event or thought. "I later thought" implies the thought occurred at a more distant or unspecified time in the future.