he thought that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “he thought that” is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a way to introduce a clause that expresses something that someone thought. For example, “He thought that the situation was out of control.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He thought that was an odd question.

The New York Times - Food

Yes, he thought, that had happened.

The New Yorker

He thought that was what Davies wanted.

The Guardian

He thought that was hilarious.

The New York Times

He thought that was funny.

The New York Times

He thought that was strange".

The Guardian - Sport

He thought that was promising.

The New York Times - Science

"He thought that was really terrific".

The New York Times

He thought that was real funny.

The Guardian

He thought that was a great idea.

The Guardian - Sport

He thought that could be decisive.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he thought that", ensure the context clearly indicates whose thoughts are being represented to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing "he thought that" repeatedly in close succession; vary sentence structure with alternatives like "he believed", "he considered", or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he thought that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a character's thoughts, beliefs, or opinions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is standard in English. The phrase serves to attribute a particular idea or perspective to an individual.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he thought that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for reporting someone's thoughts or beliefs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard construct in English. While versatile, varying sentence structure and choosing synonyms can improve writing style. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, serving to relay perspectives and provide context. By understanding its function and usage, you can effectively integrate it into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he believed that

Emphasizes a stronger conviction or faith in the idea.

he considered that

Suggests a more deliberate or thoughtful evaluation.

he understood that

Focuses on comprehension or awareness of the situation.

he assumed that

Implies a presumption without concrete evidence.

he figured that

Indicates a conclusion reached through reasoning or intuition.

he gathered that

Suggests an inference drawn from available information.

he surmised that

Suggests forming a belief based on limited evidence.

he suspected that

Implies a cautious or doubtful belief.

he had the impression that

Indicates a subjective feeling or sense.

in his opinion

Expresses a personal viewpoint or judgment.

FAQs

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

The phrase "he thought that" introduces a subordinate clause expressing someone's thought or belief. For example, "He thought that the meeting would be longer than it was."

What are some alternatives to "he thought that"?

You can use alternatives like "he believed that", "he considered that", or "he assumed that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he thought that"?

Yes, "he thought that" is grammatically correct. The word "that" can sometimes be omitted in informal contexts, but including it is always correct.

What's the difference between "he thought that" and "he knew that"?

"He thought that" implies an opinion or belief, while "he knew that" suggests a confirmed fact. The former is subjective; the latter, objective.