i thought them

USAGE SUMMARY

'I thought them' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about the thoughts you had in the past about a group of people. For example: "I thought them to be the nicest people, but I was wrong".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And it was like: 'Wow!' And I saw my wife, Tania, with the twins in her stomach and I looked at them and I thought: 'Them kids, they're proud aren't they?' "After the race I had to be drug-tested, and that took ages.

The Guardian - Sport

I thought them to be idiotic preferences".

The New Yorker

Had I thought them worthy.

The Guardian - Film

He was sniffy about these little brown paper packages, but I thought them the greatest treat ever: I always chose Sandwich Spread, a delicacy unknown at home.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Leaving aside that I thought them rather a fine pair, this is a confusing assertion for regular readers such as myself, who were previously assured that "tracksuit bottoms" were "the ultimate fashion faux-pas".

Independent

He added: "When I came to Lanvin, I did dresses, not because I thought them cute or romantic, but because of the easiness of a dress when a woman asks herself what she should put on today.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I think them getting Rasheed is a great thing.

The New York Times - Sports

MR. MARS I think them in French, but they always come out in English.

The New York Times

I think them hearing me cheer for them does help.

Huffington Post

"I just thought them having a conversation might make sense".

Los Angeles Times

"So we spoke about it this morning and I told them what I thought of them.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "i thought them", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what "them" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "i thought them" in contexts where modern phrasing like "i thought about them" or "i considered them" would be more natural and easily understood. It can sound archaic or awkward to contemporary readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i thought them" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past belief, opinion, or judgment about a group of entities (people, things, etc.). As Ludwig AI indicates, while grammatically correct, its usage can feel somewhat dated in contemporary English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i thought them" is grammatically sound but less common in contemporary English, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI. It expresses a past belief or opinion about a group. While correct, modern alternatives such as "i considered them" or "i thought about them" often sound more natural. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using "i thought them", clarity is key to ensure the reader understands who or what "them" refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i considered them

Emphasizes careful consideration and evaluation.

i viewed them

Shifts the focus to a visual perspective or interpretation.

i imagined them

Focuses on imagining rather than a concrete thought.

i perceived them

Focuses on the way they were understood or sensed.

i believed them

Highlights the aspect of believing in their statements or character.

i assumed them

Emphasizes an assumption made without concrete evidence.

i deemed them

Implies a more formal judgment or assessment.

i gathered them

Implies a conclusion drawn from observations or information.

i gathered

Implies a conclusion drawn from observations or information.

i judged them

Highlights the act of making a judgment about them.

FAQs

What does "i thought them" mean?

The phrase "i thought them" means that you had certain thoughts or opinions about a group of people or things in the past. It is often used to express a past belief or assessment.

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

You can use "i thought them" in a sentence to describe your past perceptions, such as, "I thought them to be reliable, but they proved me wrong." However, more modern phrasing might be clearer.

What are some alternatives to "i thought them"?

You can use alternatives like "i considered them", "i believed them", or "i imagined them" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "i thought them" grammatically correct?

Yes, "i thought them" is grammatically correct, although it sounds somewhat archaic. Modern English tends to favor phrasing such as "I thought about them" or "I considered them".