later we thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "later we thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a change in perspective or understanding that occurred after an initial thought or decision. Example: "Initially, we believed the project would take a month, but later we thought it might take longer due to unforeseen challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Adopting would come later, we thought.

The New York Times

A few hours later we thought hang on, we were supposed to be doing something else.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Also, a lot of times when we fight them we're drunk, and later we think we imagined it.

The New Yorker

"And so 100 years later we think we're finally doing what he wanted".

The New York Times - Books

He went on, later, "We think we've established a brand, and we think it's a show that people like".

The New Yorker

At airports in Spain, where the service will be offered sometime later, "we think we may wind up being upwards of 80percentt in Spanish," she said.

The New York Times

Months later, we think our gestures will seem irrelevant, so we tell ourselves the family is already moving forward.

Huffington Post

Fourteen months later, we think it's safe to say the Met has been able to present Islamic art and culture to a wide audience without dumbing it down or privileging one artform over another, which is a feat.

Huffington Post

Now, more than a decade later, we think the back-up singers heard in "Hey Ya!" might respond to such a question with: "The Parkour Dog!" Which basically means forget everything written previously and get ready to feel good when you watch this video from BeyondSlowMotion above showing a cute canine named Jumpy performing parkour stunts with Alex Duong in slow motion.

Huffington Post

If we assume the kidney functions of healthy people are similar sooner or later, we think it is reasonable to compare samples from different healthy individuals from the beginning.

Plosone

And, yes, it probably is a lot later than we thought.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "later we thought" to clearly indicate a shift in understanding or perspective after an initial assessment or event. It's effective for narrative storytelling or explaining changes in strategy.

Common error

Avoid using "later we thought" when you actually mean "we then thought" or "immediately after we thought". "Later" implies a significant passage of time, not a direct succession.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "later we thought" functions as an introductory phrase or clause element, setting the stage for a revised opinion or understanding. It's used to indicate a change in perspective over time, similar to what Ludwig AI indicates.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "later we thought" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a shift in perspective or understanding after some time has elapsed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While not overly common, it appears in a variety of contexts, notably news and media, and science. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that there is a genuine passage of time between the initial thought and the subsequent re-evaluation. Consider alternatives like "subsequently we considered" for a more formal tone or when precision is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsequently we considered

Replaces "thought" with "considered", implying a more deliberate reflection.

afterward we believed

Substitutes "thought" with "believed", suggesting a stronger conviction at a later time.

in retrospect we surmised

Uses "surmised" to indicate a conclusion drawn from later information.

looking back we assumed

Implies a review of past events leading to an initial assumption.

with hindsight we gathered

Indicates gathering information and forming an opinion only after the event.

on reflection we deduced

Emphasizes careful thought leading to a deduction after some time.

upon reconsideration we judged

Suggests a formal evaluation or judgment made after rethinking the initial view.

as time passed we understood

Highlights the gradual development of understanding over time.

eventually we realised

Focuses on the final realization after a period of time.

down the line we envisioned

Implies that with more time, the initial visualization came to reality.

FAQs

How can I use "later we thought" in a sentence?

Use "later we thought" to express a change in opinion or understanding after some time has passed. For example: "Initially, we planned to launch in June, but "later we thought" August would be a better time".

What's a more formal alternative to "later we thought"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "subsequently we considered", "in retrospect we surmised", or "upon reconsideration we judged". These options add a layer of professional detachment while conveying the same meaning.

Is "later we thought" always about a mistake in initial thinking?

Not necessarily. While it can imply an initial misjudgment, "later we thought" can also reflect a positive evolution of understanding due to new information or changing circumstances. For instance, you might say, "We initially hesitated to invest, but "later we thought" it was the right choice".

How does "later we thought" differ from "then we thought"?

"Later we thought" implies a longer duration between the initial thought and the subsequent reconsideration, whereas "then we thought" suggests a more immediate sequence of thoughts. Consider: "We started the project one way, but "then we thought" a change was necessary", versus, "At first, we dismissed the idea, but "later we thought" there might be something to it".