for some time I thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for some time I thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a period during which you held a particular belief or opinion before it changed. Example: "For some time I thought that I would never travel again, but then I decided to take a trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For some time I thought I could see the border of my fiction, and there were things beyond it that would not become my subjects, people outside the boundary who would not become my characters.

The New Yorker

"For some time, I thought it was just an excuse not to make a deal, but later I came to believe that it was not just an excuse but the reality there," said Mr. Song, who is now a member of the National Assembly.

The New York Times

For some time, I thought Apollo 13 was a failure.

Forbes

As you can see, I have never forgotten this extended epigram, but for many years I thought of it largely as an extended epigram and for some time I thought probably he had shaped it for me, knowing vaguely that I was in English and should appreciate a literary construction that extended across the billiard room to the top of the stairs.

University of Chicago

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We've been looking at Damien for some time, I think it's the third time I've spoken to him". said boss Rob Baxter.

BBC

I've been talking about how much I love this comic for some time, I think it's DC's best.

Huffington Post

It's not going to be in the public equity area for quite some time, I think.

Forbes

For a time I thought about Johnson a lot.

Princeton University

And for a time, I thought we would.

The New York Times - Sports

Participant 1: "I did actually I think for the first time I thought, "Maybe I can do this".

BMC Psychiatry

For some time I have thought that a journal of national stature such as The Times should have the candidates address one important topic a week chosen by you with their responses containing a brief opening position statement followed by as many action specifics as possible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for some time I thought" to clearly indicate a shift in your perspective or understanding. This helps to create a narrative contrast and emphasize the change.

Common error

Avoid using "for some time I thought" repeatedly within a short passage. This can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using phrases like "I used to think" or "I once believed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for some time I thought" functions as an introductory phrase to express a past belief or opinion that has since changed. As Ludwig AI points out, this is a valid and usable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for some time I thought" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a past belief that has since been revised. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. While its usage is widespread across news, academic, and general contexts, varying your language with alternatives like "I used to think" can enhance your writing. As always be aware of re-using it within the same context. Its primary function is to introduce a change in perspective, revealing a shift in understanding. Its frequency is common, appearing across diverse authoritative sources such as The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I used to think

Focuses more directly on a past belief.

I once believed

Highlights a belief held at a specific point in the past.

I had previously thought

Emphasizes that the thought occurred before the current time.

At one point, I considered

Suggests the idea was entertained but perhaps not fully believed.

Initially, I assumed

Implies a starting assumption that was later revised.

For a while, I was under the impression

Highlights that the belief might have been based on incomplete information.

I had the idea for a period

Highlights the mental nature of the experience.

I entertained the notion for a while

Focuses on entertaining the idea rather than fully believing it.

In the past, I had believed

Emphasizes the belief happened in the past.

I formerly held the view

Suggests a more formal or established opinion that has since changed.

FAQs

What does "for some time I thought" mean?

It means that you held a particular belief or opinion for a period, but that belief has since changed.

How can I use "for some time I thought" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a past belief that you now no longer hold. For example, "For some time I thought that I would never travel again, but then I decided to take a trip."

What are some alternatives to "for some time I thought"?

You can use alternatives like "I used to think", "I once believed", or "initially I assumed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "for a while I thought"?

Yes, "for a while I thought" is a similar and equally correct phrase. It also indicates a belief held for a period of time that has since changed.