I thought for sure

USAGE SUMMARY

"I thought for sure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express certainty towards a situation or outcome. For example: "I thought for sure he would win the race, but he came in second place instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I thought for sure.

The New York Times - Sports

"I thought for sure I was dead".

The New York Times

I thought for sure it was bird shit.

The New Yorker

I thought for sure I was gonna make it".

The New York Times

"I thought for sure I was gone to the minors.

The New York Times

"I thought for sure I was going to die".

The New York Times

I thought for sure I was going to win that.

The New York Times - Sports

"I thought for sure that he had been hit.

The New York Times

I thought for sure they were going to kill him".

The New Yorker

"Back then I thought for sure: 'This is it.

The New York Times - Arts

"I thought, for sure, we don't want to wreck together".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I thought for sure" to convey a sense of surprise or mild disappointment when an expected outcome did not occur. It adds a touch of personal feeling to your writing.

Common error

While "I thought for sure" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, be mindful of its slightly informal tone. In formal reports or academic papers, consider using more neutral alternatives like "I anticipated" or "I expected".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I thought for sure" is to express a past belief or expectation that was held with a high degree of certainty but ultimately proved to be incorrect. It often acts as a parenthetical comment or an introductory phrase to a statement of surprise or disappointment, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I thought for sure" is a commonly used phrase to express a past belief held with confidence that turned out to be untrue. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While highly frequent, it's important to consider the formality of your writing and opt for more neutral alternatives like "I expected" or "I anticipated" in formal settings. This phrase effectively conveys surprise or disappointment when expectations are not met.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was certain

Emphasizes a strong degree of confidence or conviction about a past event or situation.

I was sure

Expresses confidence in a past expectation but with less intensity than "I was certain".

I fully expected

Indicates a high level of anticipation but focuses more on the expectation itself.

I had no doubt

Highlights the absence of uncertainty regarding a particular outcome.

I anticipated

Similar to "I fully expected" but can also imply a proactive preparation for something.

I had every reason to believe

Emphasizes the justification behind the expectation.

I presumed

Suggests an assumption based on probability but with a degree of uncertainty.

I reckoned

An informal way to say "I thought" or "I supposed", often used in certain dialects.

I took it for granted

Implies that something was assumed without much thought or consideration.

I was under the impression

Suggests a belief that may not have been entirely accurate or well-founded.

FAQs

What does "I thought for sure" mean?

The phrase "I thought for sure" indicates a strong expectation or belief about a particular outcome that ultimately did not happen. It often conveys a sense of surprise or mild disappointment.

What can I say instead of "I thought for sure"?

You can use alternatives such as "I was certain", "I fully expected", or "I had no doubt" depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is "I thought for sure" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I thought for sure" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English, particularly in informal contexts.

How can I use "I thought for sure" in a sentence?

You can use "I thought for sure" to express a past expectation that wasn't met, like in the sentence: "I studied hard for the test, so "I thought for sure" I would get a good grade."