it was thought that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was thought that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that something was believed to be true before it was known for sure. For example: "It was thought that the team would win the championship, but they were ultimately defeated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it was thought that the expansion was slowing.

The Economist

It was thought that they were all melted down.

The New Yorker

Until recently it was thought that stripe rust reproduces asexually.

The Economist

It was thought that the ban would thin the crowds.

The New York Times

Till then, it was thought that Neptune was more static.

The New York Times - Science

It was thought that the hydrogen was produced when zirconium from fuel rods reacted with steam.

The New York Times

It was thought that a second bridge would fix the problems caused by the first.

The New York Times

And it was thought that the truck drivers who cross the continent must have some role.

The New Yorker

At that time, it was thought that a private equity firm would be a likely buyer.

The New York Times

Owls became symbolic of intelligence because it was thought that they presaged events.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Initially, it was thought that he froze to death in a blizzard.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was thought that" to introduce a belief or understanding that was prevalent at a certain time but may no longer be accurate or universally accepted.

Common error

Avoid relying excessively on "it was thought that" as it can create a passive voice. Sometimes, directly stating who held the belief (e.g., "scientists thought that") can make your writing more engaging and direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was thought that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a statement of past belief or opinion. Ludwig examples showcase its use in presenting superseded theories or understandings. This often sets up a contrast with current knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was thought that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce past beliefs or assumptions, often in contrast to current knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, signaling its utility in discussing evolving understandings of various topics. While a useful phrase, be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider directly attributing beliefs when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was believed that

Replaces "thought" with "believed", emphasizing a held conviction rather than a simple idea.

it was considered that

Uses "considered" to suggest a more deliberate or formal assessment.

it was assumed that

Indicates a presumption made without concrete evidence.

it was understood that

Suggests a common knowledge or agreement about something.

people thought that

Shifts the focus to a general group's belief.

the assumption was that

Transforms the phrase into a noun-based structure, highlighting the assumption itself.

the prevailing view was that

Indicates a widely accepted or dominant opinion at a specific time.

the general consensus was that

Emphasizes agreement among a group about a particular idea.

it had been hypothesized that

Introduces a scientific or speculative element, suggesting a proposed explanation.

the common wisdom was that

Highlights a traditional belief or piece of knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was thought that" to introduce a past belief that has since been challenged or disproven. For example, "It was thought that the world was flat until proven otherwise."

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

Alternatives include "it was believed that", "it was assumed that", or "it was considered that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it was thought that" or specify who did the thinking?

Specifying who held the belief (e.g., "scientists believed that") can make your writing stronger and more direct. However, "it was thought that" is useful when the source of the belief is unknown or unimportant.

What is the difference between "it was thought that" and "it is thought that"?

"It was thought that" refers to a belief held in the past, while "it is thought that" indicates a current or ongoing belief. For example, "It was thought that the treatment would work, but it didn't" versus "It is thought that the treatment may have some effect."