but so I think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but so I think" is not standard in written English and may be confusing to readers.
It could be used in informal contexts where someone is expressing a personal opinion or belief, but it is better to use clearer alternatives. Example: "I have my doubts about the plan, but so I think it might work in the end."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"And the security experts, having worked in the Pentagon and knowing a lot of people both from the technology standpoint but also from a national security standpoint and discussing this issue with them, it's very easy to make it look exactly like it was country X, in this case Russia, that did this, but so I think that's very much overestimated".

The Guardian

But so, I think it's a good exercise for even the individual investor to think about the things that could go wrong and to find ways to manage that risk.

Forbes

Yes, people who went to good schools should be grateful for the opportunities they were offered -- but so, I think, should anyone lucky enough to pursue higher education.

Huffington Post

But so I think we want suspicion, of our city officials, of our federal officials, who start to suggest that what we need to solve a crime problem that doesn't exist is more police on the ground.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Fair enough, but even so I think TiVo's brand is strong enough to survive even an acquisition the way Lotus has, years after being bought by IBM.

Forbes

But anyways, so I think that what I worry about now is that we could be used.

Huffington Post

[Laugh] There was nothing I could have done but… yeah, so I think that's what I mean by disappointed.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

But she's 16, so I think that's really exaggerated I don't know.

The New York Times

But not everybody does, so I think it is part of my job to tell them.

The Guardian

But he's prudent, and so I think no, there never was a hesitation there.

The New York Times - Sports

"But he has no injuries, so I think he will be good for Chelsea.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "but so I think" with more common and grammatically conventional alternatives such as "but I think" or "however I think" for improved clarity and flow.

Common error

While using unusual phrases can add character, overuse of phrases like "but so I think" may make your writing sound awkward or unnatural. Aim for a balance between originality and standard English usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but so I think" functions as a discourse marker introducing a qualification or contrasting opinion. While "but" signals a contrast, "so I think" indicates a personal viewpoint. Ludwig AI indicates that this is not standard in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but so I think" is a conjunction phrase that introduces a contrasting opinion or personal belief. While not grammatically incorrect, it is considered unconventional and potentially awkward in formal writing. Ludwig AI suggests that this construction isn't standard in written English. More common and clearer alternatives include "but I think" or "however I think". Although found in sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, its use is more suited to informal contexts. Therefore, carefully consider your audience and desired tone when deciding whether to use "but so I think".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but I believe

More common and direct way of expressing a personal belief.

but I suppose

Indicates a degree of uncertainty or hesitation in the opinion.

however I think

Replaces "but so" with "however" for a slightly more formal tone while still expressing a contrasting opinion.

that being said I think

Adds a transitional phrase to introduce the opinion, making it slightly more formal.

nevertheless I think

A more formal alternative using "nevertheless" to signal a contrast before stating the opinion.

even so I think

Emphasizes that the opinion holds despite a previous statement or situation.

yet I think

Concise way to express contrast before stating the opinion.

though I think

Informal alternative to "although I think", conveying a sense of contrast.

all the same I think

Indicates that the opinion remains unchanged despite previous considerations.

still I think

Highlights the persistence of the opinion despite contrasting information.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "but so I think" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "but I think", "however I think", or simply "I think" depending on the context. These options are generally clearer and more widely accepted in formal writing.

Is "but so I think" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "but so I think" is an unconventional phrasing. It's often perceived as awkward and is less common than alternatives like "but I believe" or "however I feel".

What's the difference between "but so I think" and "but I think"?

"But I think" is a more direct and common way of expressing a contrasting opinion. "But so I think" includes an extra word ("so") that doesn't significantly alter the meaning but makes the phrase less conventional and potentially less clear.

When is it appropriate to use "but so I think"?

You might use "but so I think" in informal conversation or casual writing where a slightly unconventional tone is acceptable. However, in formal writing, it's generally better to opt for clearer and more standard alternatives.