I thought what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I thought what" is not a grammatically correct sentence on its own, as it is missing a verb and a direct object.
However, it can be used in a sentence as part of a larger phrase. For example, you could say: "I thought what he said was very interesting."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I thought what everybody else thought".

The New York Times - Sports

"I thought, What the hell?

The New Yorker

I thought, what the heck.

The New York Times

I thought: "What?

The Guardian - Arts

I thought, what?

The New York Times

I thought, 'What?

The Guardian

I thought, what is he talking about?

The New York Times - Arts

"I thought, 'What Super Bowl is this?

The New York Times

"I thought: 'What are you talking about?

The New York Times

I thought, What would Bill Murray do?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I thought… What am I gonna say?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I thought what" to express a spontaneous reaction or a moment of realization, typically in informal conversations or narratives.

Common error

While acceptable in informal contexts, overuse of "I thought what" can make your writing sound less polished. Opt for more grammatically standard alternatives in formal essays or reports.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I thought what" functions as an introductory clause to express a thought or reaction. While not grammatically standard, it's used to set up the content of a thought, often indicating surprise, confusion, or reflection. Ludwig AI examples show its prevalence in narrative and conversational contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I thought what" is a frequently used phrase to introduce a thought or reaction, often marked by surprise or reflection. Although it is not considered grammatically correct as a standalone sentence, Ludwig AI shows the phrase is acceptable in informal speech and writing. It commonly appears in news media, indicating its acceptability in less formal journalistic contexts. For formal writing, it is advisable to use more standard grammatical constructions such as "what I thought" or "I wondered what". Ultimately, the choice depends on the context and the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What I thought was

Shifts the emphasis to the content of the thought, rather than the act of thinking itself.

I wondered what

Focuses on the act of questioning or pondering about something, rather than the initial thought process.

My first thought was what

Similar to "My initial thought was what", but is slightly more common.

My initial thought was what

Adds more emphasis on the timing and nature of the initial reaction.

I was thinking what

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the thought, rather than a specific, realized idea.

I remember thinking what

Highlights the act of remembering a past thought.

I began to think what

Highlights the start of a reflective process, suggesting a gradual development of thought.

It occurred to me what

Indicates a sudden realization or idea.

I had the thought what

Focuses on the possession of the thought rather than the thinking process.

I was like, "What"

Captures a more immediate and often surprised reaction.

FAQs

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

The phrase "I thought what" is typically followed by a clause that explains the content of the thought. For example, "I thought what he said was interesting."

Is "I thought what" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "I thought what" isn't strictly grammatically correct. It's often used in informal speech or writing to express a quick reaction or thought. In formal contexts, it's better to use phrases like "what I thought" or "I wondered what".

What are some alternatives to "I thought what" in formal writing?

In more formal writing, you can use alternatives like "what I thought", "I considered what", or "my initial thought was" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "I thought what" and "what I thought"?

"I thought what" is often used to introduce a spontaneous or surprised thought, whereas "what I thought" is a more grammatically standard way to refer to the content of a thought, often used in formal contexts.