as was thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as was thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was believed or assumed in the past, often in a context where that belief is being referenced or contrasted with current understanding. Example: "The results of the experiment were surprising, as was thought by many researchers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

"Not as much snow fell as was thought," Ms. Blomley said.

The New York Times

In experiments, he and colleagues found evidence that in dim light people's eyes do not focus on the horizon, as was thought at the time, but settle on a point much closer, often less than 10 feet away.

The New York Times - Health

A change in the molecular function of a protein by a change in the regulation of its gene means that gene duplication is not a prerequisite for functional innovation (Piatigorsky 1992; Piatigorsky and Wistow 1991; Hughes 1994, 1999, 2005), as was thought for many years (Ohno 1970; Kimura and Ota 1974; Taylor and Raes 2004).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Bariiev said activists would make sure humanitarian aid was delivered to Crimeans if it were absolutely needed, but only aid — not weapons, as was thought to be the case with so-called Russian aid deliveries last year.

Vice

Africa's financial ostracism is not quite as acute as was thought.

The Economist

The relationship between carbon emissions and global warming is not as direct as was thought.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Interindividual differences in metabolism of As are thought to account for some of the observed variation in susceptibility to As-related diseases (NRC 1999; Vahter 2000).

Environmental Health Perspectives

One important step in the pathogenesis of AS is thought to be an altered cell-matrix interaction via the podocyte collagen receptors.

Fibrogenesis and Tissue Repair

Generally, RT-AS is thought of as a cutaneous disease.

British Journal of Cancer

It felt as if he were not so much thinking as being thought.

The New York Times - Magazine

Despite a multitude of hindrances (such as being thought unladylike), women's basketball gradually secured a foothold.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as was thought", ensure that the context clearly indicates who held the previous belief. For example, specify "as was thought by many scientists".

Common error

Avoid assuming that "as was thought" implies a universally held belief. Clarify the extent of the prior assumption to prevent misinterpretations. If it was a minority opinion, specify that.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as was thought" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause to indicate a contrast between a past belief and present understanding. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct. It introduces a sense of revision or correction to a prior assumption.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as was thought" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to introduce a contrast between past beliefs and current understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic content. To ensure clarity, specify who held the previous belief and avoid assuming universal acceptance. Alternatives such as "as previously believed" or "contrary to previous belief" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as previously believed

Emphasizes the change from a past belief to a current understanding.

as once believed

Highlights that the belief was held at some point in the past.

as it was assumed

Similar in meaning but emphasizes the act of assuming.

contrary to previous belief

Directly contrasts the current situation with a past belief.

against prior assumptions

Focuses on the falsification of earlier assumptions.

contrary to what was expected

Highlights the unexpected nature of the current situation.

differing from initial expectations

Formal phrasing emphasizing a divergence from prior expectations.

in contrast to the original idea

Focuses on the difference from the initial conceptualization.

reversing earlier perceptions

Indicates a complete change in understanding.

as people used to think

Colloquial phrasing that emphasizes a shift in popular opinion.

FAQs

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

Use "as was thought" to introduce a contrast between a past belief and a current understanding. For example: "The climate is changing more rapidly than "as was thought" decades ago."

What's a good alternative to "as was thought"?

Alternatives include "as previously believed", "as once believed", or "contrary to previous belief", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify who held the belief "as was thought"?

While not always mandatory, specifying who held the belief provides clarity and context. If it's a commonly held belief, it may be implied, but for niche or specific beliefs, it's best to be explicit.

What's the difference between "as was thought" and "as is thought"?

"As was thought" refers to a belief that was held in the past but may no longer be accurate, while "as is thought" refers to a current belief or assumption.