i thought even

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I thought even" is not complete and may not convey a clear meaning in written English without additional context.
It can be used when expressing a thought or assumption that includes the word "even," typically to emphasize a surprising or unexpected aspect of the thought. Example: "I thought even the most experienced players would struggle with that challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He seemed miserable, I thought — even more gruff than usual.

The New Yorker

It's no secret that, back in 2009, I thought even this was too fast.

The Economist

"I thought, even when we got our first star, we weren't good enough.

Independent

"I thought, even if I do nothing else, this is going to give me something to talk about," he said.

The New Yorker

("I thought even if he jumps badly, he'll still jump well").

The Guardian - Film

I thought: "Even though it's barely breakfast time, this man is engaged in perilous negotiation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Well, that's New Orleans, I thought; even the revered city fathers are a little twisted.

The New Yorker

"I thought even an entertaining bore could be a bore after a while," he told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is almost beyond what I thought even he was capable of".

The Guardian

I thought even though this kidney isn't a good match, my brother won't have to go through this.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But, you know, I thought, even if it was unprecedented, so what, you know?" Ms. Palin told Mr. Lauer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “i thought even” to express a thought with an unexpected element or surprise. For example, “I thought even the experts would struggle with this task.”

Common error

Avoid using “i thought even” in direct questions. It's more appropriate for statements expressing a thought or assumption. Instead of asking “I thought even you knew?”, try “Did you even know?”

Linguistic Context

The phrase “i thought even” functions as an introductory clause or phrase expressing a prior belief or assumption that includes an element of surprise or unexpectedness. It's used to set the stage for a statement that might contradict or qualify the initial thought. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis showing various contextual uses of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “i thought even” is a common phrase used to express a prior belief or assumption that contains an element of surprise or unexpectedness. It's grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in news, media, formal business, and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is generally neutral in tone. When using this expression, ensure clarity by providing enough context to avoid ambiguity. While it is grammatically correct, remember that "i thought even" is more suitable for statements, avoid using it in direct questions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i even assumed

Replaces 'thought' with 'assumed', focusing on an initial presumption.

i had even imagined

Substitutes 'thought' with 'imagined', highlighting a mental picture or scenario.

i had not even considered

Emphasizes the lack of prior consideration.

it even occurred to me

Shifts the focus to the idea entering one's awareness.

it even crossed my mind

Similar to 'occurred to me', but with a sense of fleeting thought.

i hadn't even reckoned

Indicates a failure to anticipate something.

i did not even anticipate

Stresses the lack of expectation.

i even dared to think

Adds a sense of audacity or risk to the thought.

it was beyond what i expected

Expresses a degree of surprise exceeding initial expectations.

contrary to what i thought

Introduces an element of contrast or opposition.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I thought even" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you might consider using phrases such as "I had assumed even" or "It had even occurred to me". These alternatives offer a similar meaning but with a more sophisticated expression.

What does it mean when someone says, "I thought even"?

When someone says "I thought even", they are expressing that they had a particular expectation or belief, and the "even" highlights something surprising or unexpected about that thought. It suggests that their assumption might have been challenged or proven wrong.

Is it always necessary to include a comma after "I thought" in a sentence?

While not always grammatically required, adding a comma after "I thought" can improve readability, especially if the phrase introduces a contrasting idea or adds emphasis, similar to how "I thought, even if..." might be structured.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using phrases similar to "I thought even"?

A common mistake is using such phrases without providing enough context, leading to ambiguity. Be clear about what you were expecting or assuming. For example, instead of saying "I thought even so", clarify it with something like "I thought even so, it would work".