as I initially thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as I initially thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you now believe something that you previously had doubts about. For example: After gathering more information, it turns out that I was right about the cause of the issue - as I initially thought.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

8.42am BST Update: the latest word from Italy is that we might get the confidence vote around midday, not this evening as I initially thought.

The Guardian - Business

So, the more I think about this, the more I think that the risks of the new Dijsselbloem era in European policy are perhaps not as great as I initially thought that they were.

The Guardian - Business

The $80 price tag was a nice surprise for me, though, as I initially thought it'd be priced at $100 or so.

TechCrunch

Update: YouTube isn't keeping this as small as I initially thought – each person to get an invite will get 25 invites of their own.

TechCrunch

One of my first realizations was that mentors are never as perfect as I initially thought they were.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When the editors of this series asked me to describe my career path and a typical day in my life as a physician-scientist, I initially thought that it would be a straightforward assignment.

Science Magazine

Thanks to its description as post-apocalyptic science fiction, I initially thought Station Eleven was something to avoid.

Huffington Post

As I moved from what I initially thought would be "a piece of cake" into the world of accumulating side effects such as fatigue, I couldn't wait to get to the end.

Huffington Post

If on occasion the prosecution case is not as strong as initially thought and the jury won't buy it – all well and good.

The Guardian - Opinion

While the size of the data breach was not as large as initially thought, and the number of TalkTalk customers whose bank account or partial credit card details were taken was smaller still (in the tens of thousands), the ease with which hackers were able to penetrate the ISP's security systems and make off with sensitive data led to widespread condemnation.

TechCrunch

Revisions to third-quarter GDP growth also reflected import growth that was not as big as initially thought, while exports were a bit stronger.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as I initially thought" to politely correct a previous statement or assumption, showing a willingness to update your understanding with new information.

Common error

Avoid using "as I initially thought" too frequently in the same piece of writing, as it can make your text seem repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "I later realized" or "I was mistaken".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as I initially thought" serves as a disclaimer or a clarification in sentences. It indicates a revision of a previous belief or understanding. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as I initially thought" is a grammatically correct expression used to signal a change in one's understanding or belief. While Ludwig AI considers it correct, its frequency is relatively rare. It commonly appears in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When writing, it’s a good idea to use this phrase to politely correct or update a previous statement, but remember to avoid overuse to maintain clarity and variety in your language. Alternative phrases, like "contrary to my initial belief" or "I was mistaken", can add nuance and prevent repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to my initial belief

Emphasizes the contrast between the initial belief and the current understanding.

my initial assumption was incorrect

Highlights that the starting assumption was wrong.

different from what I originally believed

Highlights the difference between the original and current beliefs.

I had a different impression at first

Focuses on the initial impression being different.

what I initially presumed was wrong

Indicates that the initial presumption was incorrect.

I was mistaken in my first assessment

Directly admits an error in the initial evaluation.

I now understand differently

Focuses on the current understanding as being different.

I previously thought otherwise

Simply states that the previous thought was different.

my original viewpoint has changed

Emphasizes the shift in personal perspective.

on further consideration, I realized

Implies a deeper thought process led to a change of opinion.

FAQs

How can I use "as I initially thought" in a sentence?

You can use "as I initially thought" to indicate that your current understanding of something differs from what you previously believed. For example: "The task seemed simple at first, but it turned out to be quite complex, "as I initially thought"."

What's a more formal way to say "as I initially thought"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "contrary to my initial assessment" or "my initial assumption proved incorrect". These alternatives provide a more professional tone while conveying a similar meaning.

What can I say instead of "as I initially thought" when admitting a mistake?

When admitting a mistake, you could use phrases like "I was mistaken" or "I misjudged the situation". For instance, "I thought the project would be easy, but "I was mistaken"; it required much more effort than anticipated."

Is it always necessary to explicitly state "as I initially thought" when correcting yourself?

No, it's not always necessary. Sometimes, simply stating your current understanding is enough. However, using "as I initially thought" can be helpful to clarify a change in your perspective, especially when the initial thought might still be relevant or known to the audience.