but I thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"but I thought" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contradiction: for example, "I had been told the meeting was cancelled, but I thought I saw someone on the way in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But I thought something".

The New York Times - Sports

But I thought I was".

The New York Times

But I thought, She's right.

The New Yorker

But I thought he was.

The New Yorker

"But I thought our chemistry was palpable.

The New York Times

"But I thought it was really good".

The New Yorker

"But I thought he battled all night.

The New York Times - Sports

But I thought Philip was enough.

The New Yorker

"But I thought this was it.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But I thought she was very honest.

The New York Times

"But I thought: 'The Yankees are big.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but I thought" to introduce a contrast or unexpected realization after a previous assumption or statement. It is effective for showing a shift in perspective.

Common error

While "but I thought" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound less formal. In professional or academic contexts, consider stronger transitional phrases like "however", "nevertheless", or "on the contrary" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but I thought" functions as a discourse marker, introducing a contrast or a change in perspective. As Ludwig AI explains, it signals a shift from an earlier assumption or expectation, often leading to a new understanding. It connects two related but opposing ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but I thought" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a contrast or a change in perspective. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. While it's suitable for general use, remember to consider more formal alternatives like "however, I believed" or "nevertheless, I assumed" in professional settings. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "but I thought" to add nuance and clarity to your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, I believed

This alternative replaces "thought" with "believed", emphasizing a conviction that was held.

yet, I had assumed

This alternative uses "yet" instead of "but" to signal the contrast and "assumed" to highlight the initial supposition.

still, I imagined

This alternative employs "still" to introduce the contrast and "imagined" to suggest a mental picture that was formed.

nonetheless, I presumed

This alternative uses "nonetheless" for a stronger contrast and "presumed" to imply a belief based on probability.

even so, I considered

This alternative replaces "thought" with "considered", indicating a more deliberate process of reflection.

despite that, I understood

Emphasizes that despite a previous situation, a new understanding was formed.

conversely, my impression was

Introduces a complete opposite impression, highlighting the difference.

in contrast, I had the idea

Directly contrasts the initial idea with the current understanding.

on the other hand, I gathered

Indicates an alternative perspective or piece of information that changed the initial thought.

that being said, I envisioned

Acknowledges the previous statement before introducing a contrasting vision.

FAQs

How can I use "but I thought" in a sentence?

Use "but I thought" to express a contrast between a previous belief or expectation and a current understanding. For example, "I expected the movie to be boring, "but I thought" it was surprisingly good."

What can I say instead of "but I thought" to sound more formal?

In formal writing, you can use alternatives like "however, I believed", "nevertheless, I assumed", or "on the contrary, my impression was" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but I thought"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The conjunction "but" can start a sentence, and "but I thought" is a common way to introduce a contrasting idea or realization.

What's the difference between "but I thought" and "I thought but"?

"But I thought" introduces a contrasting idea, while "I thought but" is less common and typically implies a qualification or limitation on a previous thought. The phrasing ""but I thought"" is generally preferred for clarity and emphasis.