as initially thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as initially thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a previous assumption or belief that has since been reconsidered or proven incorrect. Example: "The results of the experiment were different from what we expected, as initially thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

It recently became clear that the main players in the RCD subroutine commonly referred to as necroptosis, which we previously defined as a caspase-independent, RIPK1- and RIPK3-dependent lethal signaling pathway initiated by death receptors, include not only RIPK1 and RIPK3, as initially thought, but also MLKL.

Cell Death and Differentiation

Monday's economic data included some indications the downturn may not be as severe as initially thought.

The Guardian

But the latest estimates suggest that the surge was not quite as pronounced as initially thought.

The New York Times

It now says the UK economy only grew by 1.3% over the last 12 months, not 1.5% as initially thought.

The Guardian - Business

Who attacked all those women in Cologne and other cities? Was it refugees who came to Germany, as initially thought?

The Guardian - Opinion

Though Liberty will be writing off millions in bad loans, the losses will not be as huge as initially thought.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Having his players' respect, Martinez said, is not as important as he initially thought it was.

The New York Times - Sports

Eventually, they discover that they aren't as strong as they initially thought — emotionally, financially or both.

The New York Times

Therefore, if you decide that you do not need or want to borrow as much as you initially thought, you should complete our loan transaction form.

Harvard University

For Donna, "a few light bulbs went off" and it was clear she didn't know Josh as well as she initially thought.

Harvard Business Review

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as initially thought" to introduce a contrast or correction to a previous statement or belief. This helps to clarify how understanding has evolved over time.

Common error

Avoid using "as initially thought" if there's no clear indication of what the initial thought or assumption was. Always provide context to ensure the phrase effectively conveys the shift in understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as initially thought" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a statement by indicating that current information or understanding differs from a prior assumption. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable. It provides context about how a situation or understanding has evolved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as initially thought" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to signal a revision of a previous understanding or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, including News & Media and Science. Its primary function is to introduce a contrast, indicating that new information has changed the initial perception. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what the initial thought was to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "as previously believed" or "contrary to initial expectations" can be used for variety. The frequency of usage is considered very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as originally conceived

Focuses on the original idea or plan, emphasizing the initial design phase.

as previously understood

Highlights a change in comprehension, referencing how something was known before.

contrary to initial expectations

Directly contrasts the current situation with what was predicted or anticipated.

different from what was first believed

Emphasizes the alteration in belief, pointing out the initial acceptance of something that is now questioned.

not as it appeared at first

Implies that first impressions were misleading, necessitating a reevaluation.

upon further consideration

Indicates a more thorough review leading to a revised conclusion.

in retrospect

Uses hindsight to show a change in perspective over time.

on closer inspection

Highlights the importance of a detailed examination in revealing the truth.

with the benefit of hindsight

Similar to "in retrospect", it emphasizes learning from past events.

as it turns out

Introduces an unexpected revelation or outcome, differing from the original assumption.

FAQs

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

You can use "as initially thought" to indicate that a previous belief or understanding has changed based on new information or insights. For example, "The problem wasn't as severe "as initially thought"".

What are some alternatives to "as initially thought"?

Alternatives include "as previously believed", "as originally conceived", or "contrary to initial expectations".

Is it always necessary to state what was initially thought when using "as initially thought"?

While not always grammatically required, providing context about the initial thought improves clarity. Without it, the phrase can feel incomplete or confusing.

What's the difference between "as initially thought" and "as originally planned"?

"As initially thought" refers to a belief or understanding that has changed. "As originally planned" refers to an intention or strategy that has been modified or abandoned. The former concerns perception, while the latter concerns action.