I thought so

USAGE SUMMARY

'I thought so' is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
It is typically used as a response to a statement or question to indicate that one agrees or shares the same opinion as the other person. For example, if someone said "You got an A on the test," you could respond with "I thought so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

COMMENT FROM JENJA: yes alex- i thought so too.

The New Yorker

I thought so too"?

The New York Times

"I thought so, ma'am.

The New York Times

I thought so.

The New York Times

"Yes, I thought so".

The New Yorker

"I thought so," he nods.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Bramel: I think so.

The New York Times

I think so, anyway.

The New Yorker

"But I think so".

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes I think so.

The New York Times

A. I think so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I thought so" to concisely express agreement or confirmation in both formal and informal settings.

Common error

While "I thought so" is useful, avoid using it excessively in a conversation. Vary your responses with alternatives like "I agree", "That's right", or "Exactly" to maintain engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I thought so" functions as a concise expression of agreement or confirmation. Based on the examples provided by Ludwig, it often follows a statement or question, affirming the speaker's prior understanding or belief. Ludwig AI validates the phrase as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I thought so" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express agreement or confirmation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. While versatile, it's best used in neutral to informal contexts. To prevent repetitiveness, consider using synonyms like "I believed so" or "I figured as much". This phrase appears frequently in news and media, but also in academia. Always consider your audience and context to ensure the phrase is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I believed so

Uses "believed" instead of "thought", suggesting a stronger conviction based on past evidence.

I figured as much

Implies a deduction or anticipation of the information being confirmed.

I suspected that

Indicates a prior feeling or inkling about something.

That's what I thought

Rephrases the original statement to emphasize the speaker's prior understanding.

I was under the impression

Suggests the speaker had a particular understanding or belief beforehand.

I had a feeling

Expresses a more intuitive or instinctual sense of agreement.

I knew it

A more emphatic way of expressing that one was already aware or certain.

I anticipated that

Suggests the speaker expected the outcome or information being confirmed.

I foresaw this

Implies the speaker predicted or envisioned the situation beforehand.

That confirms my thoughts

States explicitly that the new information aligns with the speaker's existing ideas.

FAQs

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

"I thought so" is typically used as a short, affirmative response. For instance, if someone says "The movie was great", you could reply, "I thought so, too".

What's a more formal alternative to "I thought so"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "I concur" or "That aligns with my understanding" for a more professional tone.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "I thought so"?

While generally acceptable, using "I thought so" could come across as condescending if said with a certain tone or in specific sensitive situations. Consider your audience and the context.

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

You can use alternatives like "I believed so", "I figured as much", or "That's what I thought" depending on the context.