I thought both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I thought both" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that you had a belief or opinion regarding two items or options simultaneously. Example: "When considering the two proposals, I thought both had their merits, but one stood out more."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I thought both," Martorano replied.

The New York Times

I thought both sides were pretty convincing.

The New York Times - Arts

I thought both answered well enough.

Harvard Business Review

I thought both guys threw a punch.

The New York Times - Sports

I thought both were simply the result of age.

Harvard University

I thought both candidates did a great job in not speaking down to the American people.

The New York Times

"I thought both front offices had 'A' grades for their offseason.

The Washington Post

But I thought both he and the A.S.P.C.A. needed a more experienced hand at this point in time".

The New York Times

"I thought both of them had had a good go at their feelings of the Pinochet book," Mr. Hoge said.

The New York Times - Arts

I thought both he and Billy Burns dictated that last 20 minutes and it ultimately won us the game".

The Guardian - Sport

"I thought both players had great workouts for us," said Walt Perrin, director of player personnel for the Jazz.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I thought both", ensure the context clearly defines the two subjects being referenced. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "I thought both" when more than two items are being discussed. The term 'both' strictly refers to two subjects; using it in a broader context can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I thought both" functions as a subjective expression of opinion regarding two distinct entities. It introduces a personal assessment, as exemplified by the sentences found by Ludwig. The phrase indicates that the speaker has considered two options and formed an opinion about them.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I thought both" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a personal opinion or evaluation about two specific items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is prevalent in various contexts, including news media and academic writing. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure that the subjects are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "I believed both" or "I considered both" exist, "I thought both" remains a straightforward and widely accepted way to convey your assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I believed both

Replaces "thought" with "believed", suggesting a stronger conviction.

I considered both

Emphasizes the process of thinking about both options or items.

I deemed both

Suggests a formal assessment or judgment.

In my opinion, both

Explicitly states that the following is a personal viewpoint.

As I saw it, both

Indicates the assessment is based on personal observation.

From my perspective, both

Highlights a specific viewpoint or angle of consideration.

I assessed both

Focuses on a structured evaluation of both items.

I concluded that both

Implies reaching a decision after consideration.

It was my understanding that both

Indicates that the understanding is based on information received.

I took both to be

Highlights the manner in which they were perceived.

FAQs

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

Use "I thought both" when you want to express your opinion or assessment about two specific things. For example, "I thought both arguments were well-presented."

What are some alternatives to "I thought both"?

You can use alternatives like "I believed both" or "I considered both" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it correct to say "I thought both"?

Yes, "I thought both" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express an opinion about two specific items or ideas.

What's the difference between "I thought both" and "I thought all"?

"I thought both" refers to two specific items, while "I thought all" implies more than two. Using "both" when discussing more than two items is grammatically incorrect; use "all" instead.