erroneously thought that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "erroneously thought that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a mistaken belief or assumption someone had about something. Example: "She erroneously thought that the meeting was scheduled for Friday instead of Thursday."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

However, the origami bird experiment using the OBS simulation could result in some misunderstandings: some students erroneously thought that speciation occurs in a short time, and they overestimated the power of genetic drift on the evolutionary mechanism.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

On his blog, The Simpsons music editor Chris Ledesma wrote that Selman wanted "Gritty Shaker" to be played repeatedly throughout "The Book Job" because he erroneously thought that was how it was done in film.

Wikipedia

According to Desgabets, both Descartes and Malebranche rejected the empiricist thesis because they erroneously thought that it would commit them to the materialist thesis that thoughts and the soul are material.

SEP

Nancy L. Wolf, the mother of two young adults, erroneously thought that the difficult years of parenting were behind her.

The Washington Post

He believed that the planet turned on its axis, but erroneously thought that this motion was associated with, and perhaps caused by, magnetism.

The New York Times - Science

The CIA erroneously thought that Libi, who was actually at odds with Osama bin Laden, was number three in al-Qaida.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Why do people sometimes erroneously think that Toronto is the capital of Canada or that raindrops are teardrop-shaped?

Duke University

First, Wittgenstein erroneously thinks that Gödel's proof is essentially semantical and that it uses and requires a self-referential proposition.

SEP

In examining mathematics as a purely human invention, Wittgenstein tries to determine what exactly we have invented and why exactly, in his opinion, we erroneously think that there are infinite mathematical extensions.

SEP

Their egos get in the way, as they erroneously think that it is demeaning to meet with HR and they should only interview with the hiring manager and senior-level executive management.

Forbes

Hartshorne's Platonic or Bergsonian argument against creation ex nihilo, in simplified form, looks something like this: one can in fact imagine the nonexistence of this or that, or even of this or that class of things, a fact that gives some the confidence to (erroneously) think that this process can go on infinitely such that one could imagine a state in which there was "absolutely nothing".

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "erroneously thought that", ensure the context clearly indicates why the thought was mistaken. Provide evidence or reasoning to support the correction of the error.

Common error

Avoid using "erroneously thought that" when the difference of opinion is subjective or nuanced. Reserve it for situations where there is a clear and verifiable error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "erroneously thought that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It indicates a past belief that has been proven incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "erroneously thought that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a mistaken belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to correct past misconceptions by presenting a more accurate understanding. It's particularly frequent in news, scientific, and academic contexts. The register is mostly neutral but, due to the use of "erroneously", tends towards formal writing. Remember to use this phrase when you have clear evidence to show that a prior belief was factually wrong, and be aware that it inherently carries a negative connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mistakenly believed that

Emphasizes the incorrect nature of the belief.

incorrectly assumed that

Focuses on the flawed assumption leading to the belief.

wrongly supposed that

Highlights the incorrect supposition made.

falsely presumed that

Stresses the false nature of the presumption.

naively imagined that

Implies a lack of experience or knowledge led to the thought.

deluded themselves into thinking that

Suggests a self-deceptive aspect to the belief.

labored under the misapprehension that

Formal phrasing indicating a misunderstanding.

had the mistaken impression that

Focuses on the incorrect impression formed.

was under the false assumption that

Highlights the incorrect basis of the assumption.

had been misled into believing that

Implies external influence contributed to the incorrect belief.

FAQs

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

Use "erroneously thought that" to indicate someone held a belief that was later proven to be incorrect. For example: "She "erroneously thought that" the train would be on time, but it was delayed."

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

A more formal alternative includes phrases like "incorrectly assumed that" or "mistakenly believed that".

Is it always negative to say someone "erroneously thought that"?

Yes, "erroneously thought that" implies a mistake or misunderstanding. It generally carries a negative connotation, as it points out an incorrect belief.

What is the difference between "erroneously thought that" and "naively imagined that"?

"Erroneously thought that" suggests a factual error, while "naively imagined that" suggests a lack of experience or sophistication in forming the belief.