it thought was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it thought was" is not correct in standard written English.
It appears to be a fragment and lacks clarity without additional context or a subject. Example: "The idea it thought was brilliant turned out to be flawed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

A couple of years ago, for instance, when an apparel company mapped out what it thought was its new growth efforts, it found to its chagrin that a number of projects existed on paper, but that they were zero staffed – that is, no one was actually working on them.

Harvard Business Review

The government soon found that it had to overcome many forms of resistance to change including the vested interests of the business sector, the status quo orientation of international agencies like the IMF and World Bank as well as the go-slow counsel of Britain and the U.S. A long suppressed black middle class wanted what it thought was its due and wanted it now!

Huffington Post

That's the hard lesson that the British embassy in Washington has learned after it posted on its official feed what it thought was a light-hearted tweet to mark the 200th anniversary of the burning of the White House by British troops.

The Guardian

(Fox was known to be unhappy that its rights to what it thought was a summer World Cup had suddenly become a winter one).

BBC

Alandra Palisser, Delta, British Columbia, Canada Concealed inside her house behind a hanging basket in the window, Palisser photographed a rufous hummingbird "fascinated by its own reflection in a mirror ball, which it thought was an intruder in its territory".

Huffington Post

Now, as a corporate lawyer, Mr. McKenna was setting up meetings with his successor, Mr. Ferguson, to ask him to intervene with federal officials on T-Mobile's behalf in the inquiry over whether the company was seeking to prevent its competitors from acquiring what it thought was too large a share of the available federal wireless spectrum.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It thought it was a pen.

BBC

It was thought to be unnecessary.

Wikipedia

It's thought to be an heirloom.

The New York Times

It think that's it.

TechCrunch

Thought it was construction.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it thought was", ensure it is part of a complete clause with a clear subject. For example: "The solution it thought was innovative turned out to be impractical."

Common error

Avoid using "it thought was" as a standalone phrase. It requires context to be grammatically sound. For instance, instead of saying "It thought was a good idea", specify "The company thought it was a good idea."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it thought was" typically functions as part of a clause, often introducing a subjective assessment or a past belief. Ludwig examples show its usage in news articles and various contexts, reflecting its role in reporting perspectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it thought was" is commonly used, especially in news and media, to express a subjective viewpoint or a past assessment. However, Ludwig AI identifies that this phrase is often grammatically incomplete and requires additional context to form a proper clause. While frequently employed, consider using more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "it believed it was" or "it considered it to be" for enhanced clarity and formality. Ensuring that the phrase is part of a complete clause will improve the overall grammatical correctness and readability of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it believed it was

Replaces "thought" with "believed", emphasizing a conviction rather than a consideration.

it considered it to be

Substitutes "thought" with "considered", suggesting a more formal or deliberate evaluation.

it assumed it was

Uses "assumed" instead of "thought", implying a presumption without concrete evidence.

it presumed it was

Similar to "assumed", but can carry a slightly stronger sense of taking something for granted.

it understood it to be

Replaces "thought" with "understood", indicating a perception or comprehension of the situation.

it gathered it was

Suggests the conclusion was reached through indirect information or deduction.

it inferred it was

Similar to "gathered", but implies a more logical deduction based on available information.

it had the impression it was

Indicates a subjective feeling or sense about the situation, replacing a definitive thought.

it was under the impression that it was

Offers a more elaborate way of expressing a subjective sense or feeling about the situation.

it had the idea it was

Emphasizes the origin of the belief as a mental concept or notion.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "it thought was" that are grammatically correct?

Consider using alternatives like "it believed it was", "it considered it to be", or "it assumed it was" for grammatically stronger options.

How can I use "it thought was" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure the phrase is part of a larger clause that provides context. For example: "The strategy it thought was foolproof ultimately failed."

Is "it thought was" considered formal or informal language?

While common, "it thought was" can sound informal or incomplete. Opt for more precise phrasing like "it presumed it was" in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "it thought was" and "it believed was"?

"Believed" suggests a stronger conviction than "thought". Using "it believed it was" indicates a firm acceptance, while "it thought it was" implies a consideration or opinion.