did not think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not think" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a lack of consideration or belief regarding something in the past. Example: "At that moment, I did not think it was possible to achieve such a high score."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I did not think.

The New York Times

Benjamin did not think so.

The New York Times

Richardson did not think so.

The Washington Post

Prosecutors did not think they were funny.

The New York Times

He did not think it would work.

The New York Times

Mr. Shama did not think so.

The New York Times

I did not think I would live".

Independent

I, at first, did not think so".

The New York Times - Health

Buehrle obviously did not think so.

The New York Times - Sports

But I did not think so.

The New Yorker

Did not think she'd get there.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add nuance, consider alternatives like "didn't expect" or "didn't realize" to better reflect the intended meaning.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "did not think" can sound informal. In formal contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "failed to consider" or "did not anticipate" to convey a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not think" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past lack of belief, consideration, or awareness. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability, showcasing various examples where it effectively conveys a previous absence of thought or expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not think" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a past lack of belief, consideration, or anticipation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, writers should consider stronger alternatives for formal settings to enhance sophistication. Common mistakes include overuse in formal writing and failing to provide sufficient context for clarity. Related phrases like "didn't expect" or "didn't realize" can add nuance. By understanding its usage and potential alternatives, writers can effectively employ "did not think" to communicate their intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't believe

Expresses a lack of conviction or trust in something.

didn't expect

Indicates a lack of anticipation or foresight regarding an event or outcome.

didn't anticipate

Similar to "didn't expect", but often implies a more specific failure to foresee something.

didn't consider

Highlights a failure to take something into account or give it due thought.

didn't realize

Emphasizes a lack of awareness or understanding.

was unaware

A more formal way of expressing a lack of knowledge or consciousness.

had no idea

Indicates a complete lack of knowledge or understanding.

failed to foresee

Focuses on the inability to predict or anticipate a future event.

overlooked

Suggests that something was missed or not given enough attention.

it didn't occur to me

Expresses that an idea or possibility did not come to mind.

FAQs

How can I use "did not think" in a sentence?

You can use "did not think" to express a past lack of consideration or belief. For example: "I "did not think" it would rain today" or "She "did not think" he was being serious".

What can I say instead of "did not think"?

Alternatives to "did not think" include "didn't believe", "didn't expect", or "didn't realize", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to say "did not think" or "didn't think"?

"Didn't think" is a contraction of "did not think". "Didn't think" is more informal and common in speech and informal writing, while "did not think" is slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "did not think" and "did not consider"?

"Did not think" generally implies a lack of belief or expectation, while "did not consider" focuses on a lack of thoughtful examination. For example, "I "did not think" he would win" suggests disbelief, whereas "I "did not consider" the consequences" indicates a lack of planning.