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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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my thoughts was

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my thoughts was" is not correct in written English.
The correct form should be "my thoughts were" since "thoughts" is plural. Example: "My thoughts were consumed by the events of the day."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Descartes also thought that the only way to account for my special access to my thoughts was to take thoughts to be made out of a different sort of stuff than my body — to take our minds, in short, to be non-physical, distinct from the brain.

News & Media

The New York Times

In recent years the record that has most preoccupied my thoughts was Premier League appearances.

Still, one of my thoughts was, if he had that in mind, I could have been working on it all camp instead of the last day".

Reaching a point in life where my transition didn't pollute every inch of my thoughts was my ultimate goal.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Still in my thoughts, was that I needed to go to law school the next day, and did not yet comprehend the great unknown and uncertainty of what was to come.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Interrupting my thoughts was a lifeguard on her board: "Miss, do you need help?" I responded, "If I hold onto your board to catch my breath, will I get disqualified?" When she smiled and shook her head no, I held on for about 30 seconds, coughing and finally calming down.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

My thoughts were roiling.

News & Media

The New York Times

My thoughts were with my mother.

News & Media

Independent

My thoughts are with your family".

News & Media

Independent

Barbara, my thoughts are with you.

News & Media

The New York Times

My thoughts are with everybody at Purdue".

News & Media

Independent
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to your internal reflections, consider more precise alternatives like "my feeling was" or "my impression was" to better convey your intended meaning.

Common error

Do not use "my thoughts was"; always use "my thoughts were". Using the singular verb form with a plural subject detracts from your message and undermines your credibility.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

2.4/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

Subject complement. The phrase "my thoughts was" attempts to link the subject ("my thoughts") with a description or state. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase violates standard grammar rules because the plural noun "thoughts" requires the plural verb "were".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my thoughts was" is grammatically incorrect; the proper form is "my thoughts were". While Ludwig shows the phrase appears in news and media sources, this does not validate its use. It intends to express past reflections or ideas, but its incorrect grammar undermines effective communication. Remember to use "were" with the plural noun "thoughts" for accurate and credible writing.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "my thoughts was"?

The correct way to phrase this is "my thoughts were", using the plural form of the verb to agree with the plural noun "thoughts".

Can I use "my thought was" instead of "my thoughts were"?

Yes, if you are referring to a single, specific thought. For example, "My thought was that we should leave early" is grammatically correct. Otherwise, use "my thoughts were".

Are there alternative phrases to "my thoughts were" that I can use?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "my impression was", "my understanding was", or "I believed that".

How does "my thoughts were" differ in meaning from "I was thinking"?

"My thoughts were" typically refers to a set of reflections or ideas already formed, while "I was thinking" suggests the process of considering something at a particular time.

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Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

2.4/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: