i thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"I thought" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you were considering or reflecting upon something in the past. For example, you might write, "I thought about what you said earlier today and I agree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

I THOUGHT about exercising today.

Huffington Post

I was flattered, but I (thought I) wasn't old enough.

Los Angeles Times

I thought a thought, but the thought I thought, was not the thought, I thought I thought.

WikiHow

I thought bad thoughts.

BMC Palliative Care

I thought.

Forbes

"I thought Robin died".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

And I thought Joel, could I Yes, please.

Cornell University

M. Cohan and I thought -- "I don't want any", was all the woman would say.

The New Yorker

I actually gave up on music--I thought I was done rapping.

Forbes

Is your immediate thought "I have to go back!"?

WikiHow

I NEVER THOUGHT I'D SEE THE DAY!, by David Jeremiah.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "i thought" to introduce a past belief, reflection, or consideration. It's effective for narrating personal experiences or providing context for a decision.

Common error

Avoid using "i think" when referring to a past belief or reflection. Use "i thought" to maintain correct tense and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i thought" primarily functions as a declarative statement expressing a past belief, consideration, or reflection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to introduce a past viewpoint. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, from simple reflections to more complex reasoning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "i thought" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express past beliefs, reflections, or considerations. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. It is a neutral expression, fitting for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use "i thought" when referring to past thoughts, and avoid the incorrect "i thinked". Consider alternatives like "i believed" or "it occurred to me" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i believed

Focuses more on a state of conviction or belief rather than the process of thinking.

i considered

Emphasizes a more deliberate and thorough evaluation process.

i imagined

Suggests a formation of a mental image or concept, possibly without concrete evidence.

i figured

Implies a more casual or intuitive form of reasoning.

it occurred to me

Highlights the sudden realization or dawning of an idea.

i had the impression

Indicates a feeling or sense derived from observation or experience.

my understanding was

Emphasizes a prior state of comprehension or knowledge.

i presumed

Implies an assumption made without firm proof.

i gathered

Suggests an inference or conclusion drawn from available information.

as i saw it

Highlights a personal perspective or viewpoint.

FAQs

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

Use "i thought" to express a past belief, consideration, or reflection. For example, "i thought it was going to rain" or "i thought about your suggestion."

What's a good alternative to "i thought"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "i believed", "i considered", or "it occurred to me".

Is it correct to say "i thinked" instead of "i thought"?

No, "i thinked" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past tense of "think" is "i thought".

What's the difference between "i think" and "i thought"?

"I think" expresses a current belief or opinion, while "i thought" expresses a past belief or consideration.