although we thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "although we thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrast or an unexpected outcome based on a previous belief or assumption. Example: "Although we thought the project would be completed on time, unforeseen delays set us back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Although we thought it was most likely a bird".

The Guardian

Although we thought they were armed, they turned out to be civilians.

The Washington Post

The money was not Asil Nadir's to give although we thought it was at the time.

The Guardian

Although we thought that it was possible to deal with this by replacing the legend because of the advantage of polygon data, attention was necessary for mixed areas where both depositional and erosional gentle plains existed.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Although we thought of them as Web sites at the time, they were really amazing applications with a level of functionality, ease of use, and scale that had rarely been seen before by the average consumer.

TechCrunch

I mention this second chance Prague encounter not because it was an inherently profound experience (although we thought it was pretty cool), but rather because it suggests an image for different ways you might approach your next four years at Duke.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Although we think there are exceptions, we believe this approach is wrong.

The Washington Post

Although we think this may prove fruitful, we also believe it misses the larger point.

Nature

Artist Tatsuo Miyajima has said, "We do not need to understand time, although we think that we do.

The Guardian - Arts

Although we think we're doing several things at once, multitasking, this is a powerful and diabolical illusion.

The Guardian

And although we think we did everything possible, profitability is not comparable to our British or Spanish competitors".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "although we thought", ensure the subsequent clause clearly contradicts or modifies the initial thought for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "although we thought" without a follow-up that provides a contrasting or contradictory statement. The effectiveness of this phrase relies on creating a clear and meaningful juxtaposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "although we thought" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a clause that concedes or contrasts with the main clause. As Ludwig shows, it sets up an expectation that is then revised or contradicted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "although we thought" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrast or concession, indicating a shift from a prior belief to a new understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in News & Media, Science and Academic sources. It's crucial to use this phrase effectively by ensuring that the subsequent clause clearly contradicts the initial thought. For alternatives, consider phrases like "even though we believed" or "despite our initial belief" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even though we believed

Replaces "thought" with "believed", emphasizing a stronger initial conviction.

despite our initial belief

Uses "initial belief" to highlight that the thought was held at the beginning.

though we had assumed

Substitutes "thought" with "assumed", suggesting a less certain or evidence-based idea.

in spite of our assumption

Uses "assumption" to imply that the thought might have been taken for granted.

notwithstanding our original idea

Replaces "thought" with "original idea", conveying the same concept but with slightly more formal language.

contrary to our expectations

Highlights the difference between the initial thought and the eventual outcome.

even if we considered

Uses "considered" to suggest that the thought was a possibility that was entertained.

although it seemed to us

Shifts the focus to the perception rather than the explicit act of thinking.

while we had imagined

Implies a more detailed or creative initial thought process using "imagined".

though our impression was

Focuses on the initial impression rather than a formulated thought.

FAQs

How can I use "although we thought" in a sentence?

Use "although we thought" to introduce a contrasting idea or realization following a previous belief. For instance, "Although we thought the project would be easy, it turned out to be quite challenging."

What are some alternatives to "although we thought"?

You can use alternatives like "even though we believed", "despite our initial belief", or "though we had assumed" to express a similar meaning.

Is "although we thought" formal or informal?

"Although we thought" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality makes it versatile for various writing styles.

What's the difference between "although we thought" and "although we think"?

"Although we thought" refers to a past belief or assumption, while "although we think" indicates a current belief or opinion. The tense differentiates the timing of the thought.