I used to think

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "I used to think" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when referring to previous thoughts or opinions that are no longer valid. Example: "I used to think that studying all night was the only way to get good grades, but now I realize that balancing schoolwork with rest is important too."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Quite right too, I used to think.

Independent

"I used to think women were useless.

The Economist

"I used to think it was 50.

The New York Times

That's what I used to think.

The New Yorker

GURNEY I used to think that.

The New York Times

I used to think so.

The New York Times

"I used to think it wasn't fair".

The New York Times - Sports

"I used to think, 'He's a doctor.

The New York Times

"I used to think it was unfair".

The New York Times - Sports

I used to think it was Yiddish.

The New Yorker

I used to think it was carelessness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "I used to think" with a clear statement of what you now believe or understand to create a strong sense of change or growth.

Common error

Avoid leaving the sentence incomplete after stating "I used to think". Always provide a contrasting statement to highlight the change in your perspective. For example, instead of saying "I used to think that way", say "I used to think that way, but now I see things differently."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I used to think" functions as an introductory clause to express a past belief or opinion that has since changed. It sets up a contrast between a former viewpoint and a current one. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples showing shifts in perspective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I used to think" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a past belief that has changed. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academia, and science. To maximize its impact, follow it with a clear contrast to your current perspective. Remember to avoid leaving the contrast incomplete. Consider formal alternatives such as "I previously believed" in appropriate settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I used to believe that

More explicit and expands on the previous belief.

I once believed

Focuses on the belief aspect, highlighting a previous conviction.

I formerly thought

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the previous nature of the thought.

I previously considered

Highlights a past consideration or opinion.

I had always assumed

Emphasizes an assumption made in the past.

My earlier view was

Directly states a former viewpoint.

Before, I considered

Highlights a change in consideration.

At one time, I thought

Adds a temporal marker to indicate a past belief.

In the past, I thought

Adds a time context to the thought.

I was under the impression

Suggests a misconception that was later corrected.

FAQs

How can I use "I used to think" effectively in writing?

Use "I used to think" to introduce a past belief that you no longer hold. Follow it with a contrasting statement of your current belief or understanding to highlight the shift in your perspective.

What's a more formal alternative to "I used to think"?

More formal alternatives include "I previously believed", "I formerly thought", or "I had previously considered".

Is it always necessary to provide a contrasting statement after saying "I used to think"?

While not strictly necessary, providing a contrasting statement strengthens the impact of the phrase by clearly demonstrating the change in your perspective. Consider using phrases like "I once believed" or "my earlier view was".

What is the difference between "I used to think" and "I thought"?

"I used to think" implies a change in belief or understanding, while "I thought" simply refers to a past thought without necessarily indicating a change. To express a past consideration use phrases like "I previously considered".