I thought best

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I thought best" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a decision or conclusion that you believe is the most appropriate or wise based on your thoughts or judgment. Example: "After considering all the options, I thought best to proceed with the project as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I went ahead and did what I thought best.

The New Yorker

I always dreamed someday I would be boss and run things in the way that I thought best.

The New Yorker

"I thought, best keep on going because if there are any problems, we need to get to where there's medical help.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Afraid of looking like a bad skier, I thought, best to move and keep moving until I could hang onto a T-bar or get back to the lift start, which was only about 30 feet away, but I could not see anything, including my hand stretched out in front of my face.

The New York Times - Travel

"I knew that it was a big change of regulations so I thought best thing to check how the 2014 new turbo era was going for Ferrari.

BBC

With 1SE, I can scroll back to any day since my first clip back in September and immediately see the thing I thought best summed up that day.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I think best at night.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I find that I think best when I'm under adversity.

The New York Times

"I think best thing is like pope sort of system", he says.

The Economist

"I think best when I'm drawing," Burton said as he folded himself into a large red velvet sofa.

The New York Times - Magazine

I think best not to because of the laws of libel and so on.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider replacing "I thought best" with phrases like "I deemed it best" or "I concluded it was best" for a more formal tone, especially in professional or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I thought best" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or even pretentious. Simpler alternatives like "I thought it was better" or "I decided to" are more appropriate for such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I thought best" functions as a declarative statement indicating a decision made based on personal judgment. Ludwig shows it is often used to justify a past action or explain a course of action taken under specific circumstances. The verb "thought" indicates past tense and the word "best" is used as an adverb modifying the action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I thought best" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that a decision was made based on one's judgment of the most appropriate course of action. According to Ludwig, the phrase is more common in news media and science, implying a neutral to formal register. While not extremely frequent, it is a valid way to explain and justify past actions. When writing, consider the context and audience, and opt for simpler alternatives in informal settings. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I deemed it best

Emphasizes a more formal judgment or assessment leading to a decision.

I considered it best

Highlights the process of weighing options before deciding on the most suitable course of action.

I judged it best

Similar to 'deemed', but suggests a more critical evaluation.

I concluded it was best

Focuses on the outcome of a reasoning process, implying a deliberate decision.

I determined it was best

Emphasizes a careful and methodical decision-making process.

I decided it was best

Directly states the act of making a decision, without necessarily emphasizing the reasoning behind it.

I saw fit to

Implies that you have the authority to make decisions.

I found it preferable

Indicates a choice based on preference rather than strict judgment.

In my estimation, it was best

Adds a personal perspective to the evaluation.

I figured it was best

Suggests a more casual or intuitive decision-making process.

FAQs

What does "I thought best" mean?

The phrase "I thought best" means that you made a decision or took an action based on what you believed was the most appropriate or advantageous choice at the time. It implies a degree of deliberation and judgment.

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

You can use "I thought best" when explaining a past decision. For example, "Given the circumstances, "I thought best" to postpone the meeting" or ""I thought best" to consult with an expert before proceeding".

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

You can use alternatives like "I deemed it best", "I considered it best", or "I judged it best" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "I thought best" formal or informal?

The phrase "I thought best" leans towards the formal side. In casual conversations, simpler alternatives like "I thought it was better" or "I decided to" are generally more appropriate. If you want to be even more formal, consider "I deemed it best".