as we thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a conclusion or assumption aligns with previous beliefs or expectations. Example: "The results of the experiment confirmed our hypothesis, as we thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ha, just as we thought!

The Guardian - Opinion

The skull is not as old as we thought.

The Guardian

Maybe we're not as good as we thought we were".

Independent

Musical ubiquity: not as obsolete as we thought it was.

The New Yorker

Breakthroughs will come, just not as soon as we thought.

The New York Times

And the news is not as embarrassing as we thought.

The New York Times - Magazine

So perhaps we're not as altruistic as we thought.

The Guardian

It's not as bad as we thought it would be.

The New York Times - Sports

Or maybe "Geometry Face" wasn't as funny as we thought.

The New York Times

It's going as we thought," said Jane Sanders.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Not as much as we think.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your context. While generally acceptable, in more formal settings, alternatives like "as we anticipated" or "consistent with our expectations" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "as we thought" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in formal academic or professional writing. Opt for more precise language that clearly articulates the basis for the original thought, such as "based on our prior analysis" or "in accordance with our initial findings."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we thought" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause to express agreement or confirmation with a prior expectation or belief. It indicates that a current situation or outcome aligns with previous assumptions. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as we thought" is a versatile phrase used to express that a current situation aligns with prior expectations or beliefs. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in diverse sources, including News & Media and Science. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional contexts. When writing, leverage "as we thought" to effectively convey agreement or confirmation with a past understanding, but be mindful of the audience and the specific nuances you want to communicate. Overusing this phrase in formal settings could diminish the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as we anticipated

Emphasizes the expectation of a future event or outcome.

as we expected

Highlights a prior belief about what was likely to occur.

as we predicted

Suggests a more formal or calculated expectation.

as we foresaw

Implies a sense of foresight or prescience.

as we assumed

Indicates a belief taken for granted without proof.

as we had supposed

Highlights an earlier hypothesis or educated guess.

in accordance with our expectations

A formal way of stating that something happened as planned.

consistent with our initial understanding

Highlights alignment between current and previous knowledge.

confirming our initial hypothesis

More formal and emphasizes that previous belief was tested in a scientific way.

validating our previous assumptions

Suggests that the prior assumptions have been proven correct.

FAQs

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

You can use "as we thought" to indicate that a situation or outcome has turned out as previously expected. For example, "The project was successful, "as we thought" it would be."

What are some alternatives to "as we thought"?

Alternatives include phrases like "as we expected", "as we anticipated", or "as we predicted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "as we thought"?

Yes, the phrase "as we thought" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express that something has occurred in accordance with previous expectations or beliefs.

What's the difference between "as we thought" and "as we know"?

"As we thought" refers to something that aligns with prior expectations, while "as we know" refers to something that is currently understood or accepted as fact.