mainly I thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mainly I thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a primary or predominant thought or opinion you had about a subject. Example: "Mainly I thought that the project would be completed on time, but unforeseen issues arose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mainly I thought the stereotype was one more way for people to joke about a woman's mental state without exploring the real reason for her hurt feelings or emotional outburst.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"But mainly, I think..

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mainly, I think, the closed-loop nature of macro.

The New York Times

The source of my feelings is mainly, I think, societal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps a bit of each, but mainly, I think, something else.

The New York Times

Mainly, I think it's a question of his being exemplary in the matter of openness.

The New York Times

Maro pipes up from the next room: "Mainly I think your father wanted children".

The Guardian - Books

Mainly, I think, the restoration story gets people hooked because it raises ancient and endlessly fascinating philosophy-of-art questions.

The New Yorker

By and large, I'm in the camp of those disillusioned about technology — mainly, I think, because the future isn't what it used to be.

The New York Times

"He asked me to get involved mainly, I think, because I had building experience and he needed to build a theatre.

The Guardian

She adds: "Mainly I think it's still a place that people come to, and, you know, we don't know what they're doing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "primarily I believed" or "mostly I considered" to add variety to your writing.

Common error

In formal writing, overuse of "mainly I thought" can make your writing sound less confident and more subjective. Instead, opt for stronger, more direct statements or use more formal alternatives like "primarily I believed" or "the primary consideration was".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly I thought" functions as an introductory clause to express a personal opinion or belief. It sets the stage for a statement, indicating that the thought being presented is the primary one, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mainly I thought" is grammatically correct and used to introduce a primary thought or belief. While it's considered correct by Ludwig, its frequency is rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. For more formal writing, it's advisable to consider alternative phrases such as "primarily I believed" to ensure a more professional tone. Understanding the subtle nuances and appropriate contexts will help writers effectively use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily I believed

Emphasizes the belief as the first and foremost consideration.

mostly I considered

Highlights the consideration as the predominant factor.

chiefly I surmised

Indicates a reasoned conclusion or inference as the main point.

largely I conceived

Focuses on the formation of an idea or concept as the primary aspect.

principally I gathered

Suggests an understanding or conclusion based on collected information.

primarily I figured

Indicates a calculation or estimation as the main idea.

mainly it seemed to me

Shifts focus to the subjective appearance or impression.

for the most part I assumed

Highlights the assumption as the predominant viewpoint.

in my opinion primarily

Clearly states the opinion as the primary consideration

my main thought was

Directly expresses the thought as the principal one.

FAQs

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

You can use "mainly I thought" to introduce a primary opinion or belief you held, for example: "Mainly I thought the project would succeed because of the team's expertise." You can replace "mainly I thought" with "primarily I believed", or "mostly I considered" depending on context.

What are some alternatives to "mainly I thought"?

Alternatives include "primarily I believed", "mostly I considered", or "chiefly I surmised". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "mainly I thought" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "mainly I thought" can sound somewhat informal. For formal contexts, consider using stronger or more direct phrases or substituting with alternatives like "primarily I believed" or "the primary consideration was".

What's the difference between "mainly I thought" and "I mainly thought"?

"Mainly I thought" emphasizes that the thought being expressed was the primary one. "I mainly thought" focuses on the subject (I) and that thinking was the primary action, and it's less natural. The first version is more common and idiomatic.