former thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a previous idea or consideration that has since changed or been replaced by a new one. Example: "After much reflection, I realized that my former thought about the project was misguided."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The two main hallmarks of Alzheimer's are plaques and tangles, with the former thought to attack nerve cells from the outside and the latter from the inside.

The New York Times

For Mill, this definition from Hobbes gives names a twofold purpose: (1) a name is a mark that allows us to recall a former thought, and (2) a name is a means of communicating our thoughts to others, a sign (in Mill's words) of "what thought the speaker had before in his mind".

The New York Times

The former thought that recessions and depressions were primarily caused by the Fed "printing" too many dollars in the preceding boom, and that "printing" more dollars to pull the economy out of a slump was like trying to cure a hangover with more alcohol.

Forbes

The former thought I was getting Alzheimer's; the latter didn't.

Huffington Post

Though Flandez and Hankinson also commented positively on the song, the former thought that Tina's sung interjections became annoying and the latter called it "far from the best of the evening".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

These former thoughts came back into my mind watching this – though at no point does Mjolnir's design-feature, the strap, actually get used.

The Guardian - Film

"At the moment when I put my foot on the step," Poincaré wrote, "the idea came to me, without anything in my former thoughts seeming to have paved the way for it..

The New Yorker

"At the moment when I put my foot on the step," Poincaré wrote, "the idea came to me, without anything in my former thoughts seeming to have paved the way for it...

The New Yorker

In essence Chris Anderson, Seth Godin, Clay Shirky and many of the other early thought-formers seem to have over-attributed the power of infinite choice in a variety of markets.

TechCrunch

It's just that my former management had other thoughts about it all".

The Guardian - Music

With Tom Hanks as narrator and the movie-star voices of Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Matthew McConaughey, Paul Newman and John Travolta, among others, "Magnificent Desolation" shares former astronauts' thoughts about their experiences going to the moon as it re-creates visits to the lunar surface.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "former thought", ensure the context clearly indicates a shift in perspective or a change in belief. This helps avoid ambiguity and enhances clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "former thought" when simply referring to a thought that occurred in the past without implying a change in perspective. Use alternative phrasing such as "previous thought" if the shift isn't relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former thought" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a previous idea, belief, or consideration that someone once held. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "former thought" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a past idea or belief that has since been superseded. While not exceedingly common, Ludwig indicates that it is usable in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. To enhance clarity, ensure the context makes the shift in perspective. For situations where no change is present, consider using "previous idea". The phrase is generally neutral in register, and its correct usage is confirmed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous idea

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the thought being earlier in time.

earlier consideration

Highlights the act of considering something at a prior time.

initial thought

Stresses that the thought was the first one in a sequence of thoughts.

past belief

Focuses on a belief held in the past that may no longer be true.

prior notion

Implies a pre-existing idea or understanding.

original concept

Refers to the initial idea or concept, possibly before modifications.

old opinion

Highlights that the opinion was held in the past but may have changed.

outdated thinking

Suggests that the thought is no longer relevant or accurate.

bygone idea

Emphasizes that the idea belongs to the past and is no longer current.

receded thought

Suggests that the thought has faded or diminished in importance.

FAQs

How can I use "former thought" in a sentence?

Use "former thought" to indicate a past idea or consideration that has been superseded. For instance, "My former thought was to sell the house, but now I plan to rent it out".

What phrases can I use instead of "former thought"?

You can use alternatives like "previous idea", "earlier consideration", or "past belief" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "formerly thought" instead of "former thought"?

"Formerly thought" refers to what was previously believed by people generally, while "former thought" refers to what someone specifically used to think. They aren't interchangeable.

What's the difference between "former thought" and "initial thought"?

"Initial thought" refers specifically to the very first idea or consideration, whereas "former thought" indicates a past idea that has since been replaced by a different one.