mostly I thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly I thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a general opinion or belief that you had, often implying that your thoughts may have changed or evolved over time. Example: "Mostly I thought that the project would be straightforward, but it turned out to be more complex than I anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Mostly I thought my mother's rejection was my fault.

The New York Times

But mostly I thought the cuts were a brilliant way to sidestep all the foregone conclusions.

The New York Times

But mostly I thought it would be great for morale, to have our leader direct".

The New York Times - Arts

And mostly, I thought this delicious mangling of words by Ms. Sher's 2-year-old daughter, Sonya, would make you smile: "So, today's going to be a big storm!" Jay said cheerfully, giving her a high five.

The New York Times

"And I did think, 'Where am I?' " But mostly I thought, 'When the hell's the gate going to open?' " In the Dutch countryside near the base, all has been quiet.

The New York Times

My book club is really an excuse to invite people around and get them to each bring a bottle We talk about the book a bit, but it's mostly "I thought it was rubbish... so what did you do last weekend?" We're not really the most incisive of critics; I'm the only one who tries to go a bit deeper, but then I get told to shut up.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Mostly, I think they are rubbish.

The New York Times

Mostly I think, how lazy.

The Guardian

Mostly, I think they're into Eminem.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But mostly I think it is superstition.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mostly, I think, he simply said: "Look at this".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mostly I thought" to indicate a past belief or consideration, especially when contrasting it with a current perspective or understanding.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple sentences in a paragraph with "mostly I thought", as it can sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing your sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly I thought" functions as a discourse marker introducing a statement about a past belief or primary consideration. It prefaces a reflection on what one believed or considered to be true at a specific time, as evidenced by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mostly I thought" is a grammatically sound way to introduce a past belief or primary consideration. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to express a reflection on what one believed to be true, especially when contrasting it with a current perspective. While its usage is considered uncommon, it is frequently found in news and media contexts and suitable for neutral register. While it's correct to use "mostly I thought", remember to vary your sentence structure to avoid repetition. By examining its function, purpose, and typical usage, writers can effectively incorporate this phrase to convey past perspectives in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My main thought was

Highlights the primary thought among others.

I mainly considered

Focuses on the act of considering different aspects.

I primarily believed

Focuses on the belief aspect more strongly than just thinking.

My prevailing thought was

Suggests the thought was dominant at the time.

I largely assumed

Emphasizes assumption rather than active thought.

For the most part I believed

Emphasizes the general acceptance of something as true.

The central idea I had was

More formal and emphasizes the core idea.

Above all, I considered

Highlights the most important thing you were considering.

I generally surmised

Implies a degree of guesswork or inference.

I predominantly felt

Shifts the focus to feelings rather than thoughts.

FAQs

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

Use "mostly I thought" to express a past belief or primary consideration, often implying a change in perspective. For example, "Mostly I thought the project would be easy, but it turned out to be challenging".

What are some alternatives to "mostly I thought"?

You can use alternatives such as "I primarily believed", "my main thought was", or "I mainly considered" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "mostly I thought"?

Yes, "mostly I thought" is grammatically correct. It's a common way to introduce a past belief or consideration, as confirmed by Ludwig.

When is it appropriate to use "mostly I thought"?

It's appropriate to use "mostly I thought" when you want to express what was primarily on your mind or what you generally believed at a particular time, often implying a contrast with your current thoughts or beliefs.