but thought that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'but thought that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to connect two contrasting ideas in a sentence. For example: I wanted to go to the beach, but thought that the weather would be too cold.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He had always had homosexual leanings, but thought that would end his marriage to the dancer Cheryl St Claire.

Independent

"I was going to wear my 'Welsh, not British' one, but thought that might be too much.

The Guardian - Sport

We actually thought about making them a contrary indicator, but thought that might be too cruel.

Forbes

He doubted Argentina was planning another attack, but thought that could change "at the drop of a hat".

BBC

Dell admitted that he favored Blu-ray overivalal format HD-DVD for next-generation optical disk drives, but thought that "content is really going to drive it".

Forbes

His parents were worried, but thought that he would grow out of his bizarre behavior.

The New Yorker

He said he had a few shots but thought that the drink tasted strange.

The New York Times

Albanese actually supported the idea, but thought that it should be done through productivity reform.

The New Yorker

Others supported force but thought that by dislodging Iraq from Kuwait we would neutralize the threat.

The New York Times

She wasn't sure if that was a rule but thought that it might be.

The New Yorker

We believed in her talent, but thought that she was sometimes too respectful of the text.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but thought that" to introduce a contrasting idea or a change in someone's thinking. It's effective for showing a shift in perspective or a reconsideration of a previous belief.

Common error

While "but thought that" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make writing sound less sophisticated. Consider using more formal alternatives like "however concluded that" or "nevertheless believed that" in academic or professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but thought that" functions as a conjunction introducing a contrasting thought or idea. It connects a previous statement with a subsequent one that represents a change in thinking or a differing perspective. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but thought that" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce contrasting thoughts or shifts in perspective. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and frequently used. While prevalent in news, media, and wiki sources, remember to consider more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing. The provided examples and guidance offer practical insights into using the phrase effectively, ensuring clarity and sophistication in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet believed that

Replaces "thought" with "believed", emphasizing conviction.

however considered that

Substitutes "but" with "however" and "thought" with "considered", offering a more formal tone.

nonetheless assumed that

Uses "nonetheless" for contrast and "assumed" to imply a supposition.

still supposed that

Replaces "but" with "still" and "thought" with "supposed", suggesting a tentative belief.

even so, presumed that

Emphasizes contrast with "even so" and uses "presumed" to indicate an assumption.

in spite of that, judged that

Highlights contrast using "in spite of that" and replaces "thought" with "judged", implying an assessment.

despite this, concluded that

Uses "despite this" for contrast and "concluded" to signify a final decision.

on the other hand, determined that

Introduces a contrasting perspective with "on the other hand" and uses "determined" to show resolution.

conversely, speculated that

"Conversely" introduces an opposite idea, while "speculated" suggests a conjecture.

yet it occurred to me that

Focuses on a thought that arose, using "occurred to me" instead of a direct thought.

FAQs

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

You can use "but thought that" to express a change in perspective or to introduce a contrasting idea to something previously stated. For example: "I wanted to go to the party, but thought that I should stay home and study".

What's a more formal alternative to "but thought that"?

More formal alternatives include "however considered that" or "nonetheless assumed that", which add a touch of sophistication to your writing.

Is it correct to use "but thought that" in academic writing?

Yes, it's grammatically correct, but for academic writing, consider stronger, more precise alternatives that convey a nuanced understanding, such as "despite this, concluded that".

What is the difference between "but thought that" and "but believed that"?

"But thought that" implies a simple reflection or consideration, while "but believed that" suggests a stronger conviction or confidence in the idea. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you wish to convey.