I thought probably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I thought probably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or speculation about a past thought or belief. Example: "I thought probably it would rain today, so I brought an umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"I thought, probably not everything has been lost".

The New York Times

Developing the method of expressing action and memory by dialogue, for example, which I thought probably would be very easy to do, was not.

The New Yorker

As the movement escalated, Lin considered demands to join it: "I thought probably I would be beaten to death by the Red Guards.

The Guardian - Arts

"I thought probably not now," Archbishop Dolan said at a news conference on Friday at St. Patrick's Cathedral, describing his thoughts before the call he got Thursday morning informing him of his promotion.

The New York Times

Although the wine is 93percentt merlot, for a moment I thought (probably inaccurately) that I picked up black-currant eddies of the 5percentt cabernet sauvignon and the spiciness of the 2percentt cabernet franc in the blend.

The New York Times

"Well, I thought probably nothing would happen, but to my surprise he said one day: 'Oh, we found a restaurant.'.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I think probably not".

The New York Times

I think probably so.

The Guardian - Opinion

I think probably the worst.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I think probably the former.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I think probably Grandma would.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I thought probably", ensure the context clearly indicates that the thought occurred in the past. It's often followed by a statement that clarifies the outcome or reality, contrasting with the initial thought.

Common error

While "I thought probably" is acceptable, excessive use of "probably" can weaken your writing. In formal contexts, consider stronger, more direct alternatives or rephrasing to express the degree of certainty more precisely.

Linguistic Context

"I thought probably" functions as a clause starter expressing a past belief or assumption with a degree of uncertainty. It sets the stage for a statement that elaborates on or contrasts with that initial thought. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I thought probably" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a past belief or assumption with a degree of uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms that. It's frequently found in news and media contexts but less common in formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates that the thought occurred in the past. If a more formal tone is required, consider alternatives like "I assumed possibly", "I believed perhaps", or "I imagined maybe". Overall, "I thought probably" is a versatile phrase that can be used effectively in various communication settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I likely thought

Swaps the order of 'likely' and 'thought', altering emphasis slightly.

I assumed possibly

Replaces "thought" with "assumed" and "probably" with "possibly", suggesting a slightly weaker level of certainty.

I considered possibly

Replaces "thought" with "considered" and "probably" with "possibly", indicating a more deliberate contemplation but equal uncertainty.

I believed perhaps

Substitutes "thought" with "believed" and "probably" with "perhaps", conveying a sense of personal conviction with slight uncertainty.

I imagined maybe

Replaces "thought" with "imagined" and "probably" with "maybe", suggesting a speculative or hypothetical consideration.

I figured possibly

Substitutes "thought" with "figured" and "probably" with "possibly", giving it a more casual and informal tone.

I suspected possibly

Replaces "thought" with "suspected" and "probably" with "possibly", emphasizing a feeling or hunch rather than a reasoned conclusion.

I presumed likely

Replaces "thought" with "presumed" and "probably" with "likely", indicating an assumption made without concrete evidence.

I gathered perhaps

Replaces "thought" with "gathered" and "probably" with "perhaps", implying an inference based on limited information.

I surmised possibly

Replaces "thought" with "surmised" and "probably" with "possibly", implying a guess based on incomplete information.

FAQs

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

Use "I thought probably" to express a past belief or expectation that wasn't necessarily confirmed or turned out differently. For example, "I thought probably it would rain, but it was sunny all day."

What phrases are similar to "I thought probably"?

Similar phrases include "I assumed possibly", "I believed perhaps", or "I imagined maybe", all of which convey a sense of past conjecture.

Is "I thought probably" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I thought probably" is grammatically correct, although it may sound slightly informal to some. More formal alternatives might include "I believed it was likely" or "I presumed it would."

What's the difference between "I think probably" and "I thought probably"?

"I think probably" expresses a current belief with uncertainty, while "I thought probably" expresses a past belief that may or may not have been accurate. The tense indicates when the thought occurred.