it was once thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was once thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express the fact that a certain opinion or belief was previously held but may no longer be considered valid. For example, "It was once thought that the Earth was flat, but now we know that it is actually round."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was once thought that its best reuse would be as a restaurant.

The New York Times

It was once thought sexy and now it's the opposite.

The New Yorker

It was once thought to make women sad and stupid.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Evidently, Obamacare is not the political liability it was once thought to be.

The New Yorker

It is added to other foods because it was once thought to be the active vitamin.

The Economist

It was once thought that these wobbly mounds of water were not worth being eaten.

The New York Times - Science

It was once thought that Peter Martins might become a major choreographer.

The New Yorker

It was once thought that knowing the gene would be enough to know the protein.

The New York Times

It was once thought that they originated in Egypt, hence the word "Gypsy".

The New York Times

It was once thought that there was a single ideal span of control based on some fundamental human capacity.

The Economist

Hard to imagine that it was once thought the division of the Pushtuns would make the frontier easier to defend.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was once thought", always follow it with the current understanding or updated information to show the evolution of knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "it was once thought" without contrasting it with the present understanding. Failing to provide an updated perspective leaves the reader without a clear sense of how knowledge has evolved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was once thought" functions as an introductory device to present information or a belief that was held in the past, which is now often contrasted with a more current understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable to express past opinions or beliefs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was once thought" is a versatile phrase used to introduce past beliefs or understandings that have since evolved or been disproven. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Commonly found in news, academic texts, and encyclopedias, this phrase serves to contextualize current knowledge by contrasting it with prior perspectives. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to follow this phrase with updated information, avoiding potential misunderstandings. Alternatives like "people used to think" or "it was formerly believed" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in tone. Remember to use this phrase responsibly, ensuring you provide the reader with a clear sense of how knowledge has progressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

people used to think

Focuses on the general population's former belief.

it used to be believed

Emphasizes the belief aspect with a slightly more formal tone.

it was formerly believed

Replaces "once" with "formerly", making it more formal.

earlier assumptions suggested

Highlights the role of assumptions in past thinking.

previous understanding held that

Focuses on the prior state of understanding on a topic.

the prevailing view used to be

Highlights that the belief was the accepted norm.

initial theories proposed

Specifically refers to initial scientific or academic theories.

it had been assumed

Highlights that there was an assumption in the past about something.

past consensus indicated

Highlights how past findings were based on consensus.

the original premise stated

Highlights how an original premise was stated.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was once thought" to introduce a past belief that has since been disproven or updated, such as, "It was once thought that the Earth was flat, but now we know it's an oblate spheroid."

What's a more formal way to say "it was once thought"?

A more formal alternative is "it was formerly believed", which provides a similar meaning with a slightly elevated tone.

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

The phrases "it was once thought" and "it was previously thought" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate a belief held in the past, but "previously" might emphasize the sequence of events more directly.

What are some common misconceptions introduced by "it was once thought"?

Common misconceptions often introduced by "it was once thought" include outdated scientific theories, historical inaccuracies, or obsolete cultural beliefs. Always ensure that you provide current, accurate information when using this phrase.