initially I thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initially I thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing that you had a certain opinion or thought about something, but after further consideration, you changed your mind. For example: Initially I thought it was a good idea, but after talking to my friends, I realized it might not be the best decision.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Initially I thought not.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Initially, I thought it would be a choir about music.

The New York Times

Initially, I thought that Gail must be particularly oversensitive.

The New York Times

"Initially, I thought twice about the job," Mr. Kahlon said.

The New York Times

Initially I thought it wasn't my kind of thing.

The Guardian - Arts

"Initially I thought it was just another propaganda ploy.

The Guardian

Initially, I thought this comment was a joke, but no.

The New Yorker

Initially I thought one of them was hurt".

The Guardian

Initially, I thought that was cause for concern.

The Guardian

"Initially I thought that white ballast bags had been left on the tracks," he said.

Independent

"Initially, I thought that they're harmless," said Mr Bajandar to AFP news agency.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure that you follow it with a contrasting statement or explanation of how your opinion changed. This provides context and clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is starting with "initially I thought" but failing to explain how your opinion changed. Always provide the subsequent thought or realization to avoid leaving the reader wondering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initially I thought" functions as a discourse marker, indicating a shift in perspective or a contrast between a past and present thought. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase as grammatically correct and usable. The phrase is commonly used to introduce a revised opinion or understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initially I thought" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a change in perspective. As noted by Ludwig AI, it effectively sets up a contrast between an earlier belief and a later realization. The phrase is versatile, fitting comfortably in both news articles and more casual discourse, though less frequent in strictly scientific or academic writing. When employing this phrase, remember to follow it with the revised thought to ensure clarity. For alternatives, you might consider "my first thought was" or "originally I believed", depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my first thought was

Directly focuses on the first thought that came to mind.

my initial impression was

Highlights the first impression received.

I initially had the impression

Similar to "my initial impression", but with a slightly different structure.

at first I believed

Focuses more on the initial belief rather than a thought.

originally I assumed

Highlights the initial assumption made.

initially, my understanding was

Focuses on an initial state of understanding.

to begin with, I considered

More formal and emphasizes the starting point of a consideration.

in the beginning I imagined

Emphasizes an initial imagining or visualization.

at the outset I perceived

More formal; stresses the initial perception.

first off, I had the idea

More informal; emphasizes having an initial idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "initially I thought" to introduce a previous belief or understanding that has since changed. For example, "Initially I thought it would be difficult, but it turned out to be quite simple".

What's the difference between "initially I thought" and "at first I thought"?

While both phrases express a previous thought, "initially I thought" is slightly more formal than "at first I thought". They are largely interchangeable, but context may favor one over the other depending on the desired tone.

What can I say instead of "initially I thought"?

You can use alternatives like "my first thought was", "originally I believed", or "at first I assumed" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to follow "initially I thought" with a contrasting statement?

While not strictly necessary, it's best practice to provide a contrasting statement after "initially I thought" to show how your thinking evolved. This provides context and makes your communication clearer.