originally I assumed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "originally I assumed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a past belief or expectation that has since changed or been proven wrong. Example: "Originally I assumed that the project would take only a few weeks, but it ended up taking several months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(Originally, I assumed this was because the birds were none-too-smart, but now I see their leisurely gait, suspending traffic in either direction, as a more deliberate act of rebellion, as if the turkeys were a street-gang of youthful toughs, loitering just to prove a point: that they could).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Worst of all, the car scenes (originally, I assume, handled just by placing a bench and a chair on stage and letting the actors convince us they were in a car) are here brought to life by having the bench and chair spin around slowly, turning left and right and doing a gentle 360 degree turn as if we need to be prompted into understanding what is going on.

Huffington Post

I happen to live in a city that offers solar-powered wireless access to its residents and when this service (known as ParkWiFi) was originally announced about a year ago, I assumed I'd be able to redistribute the $50 per month I was paying Comcast towards something more important like video games or prescriptions.

TechCrunch

It took me a while to work out that this was what I needed to do as I'd originally assumed I simply had to say "Alexa" to wake the Riff up.

Forbes

While I originally assumed that Swiss watches would survive the onslaught of smartwatches, I was wrong.

TechCrunch

Click here to view the video I originally assumed that lyrical themes about healing and overcoming difficulty would be important provided they didn't mention pain or hurt itself – after all, it would be hard to take your mind off that gammy knee with the chorus to REM's Everybody Hurts blaring away in the background.

The Guardian - Music

In response, the Department of Homeland Security announced several months ago that it had terminated its contract with the X-ray scanners' manufacturer — a company that actually calls itself Rapiscan (pronounced, I originally assumed, with a long "a") — because it did not meet a deadline to deliver a less revealing technology.

The New York Times

While I originally assumed HoloLens — like most other augmented reality applications — needs some kind of QR code or markers to know where to place objects, it can actually recognize the world around you and then allows you to place objects where you want them.

TechCrunch

Nope! Let's all give a big "¡Hola!" to Pastor Ewing Marietta, founder of something called Thou Shall Not Move, which I originally assumed was an app of rent-controlled buildings in my city, but turned out to be the protest group against removal of religious landmarks, mostly the Ten Commandments.

Vice

It would've been nice to double-over, to howl incredulously and drop the phone when he clarified that they weren't going to stick the laser up his butt like I'd originally assumed, but shoot it straight into his penis.

Vice

Based on Friedenstein's early work [50], [51], it was originally assumed that limiting dilution (i.e. the minimum number of cells required to produce a single colony) of mesenchymal cells could provide clonal colonies.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "originally I assumed", ensure the context clearly indicates how your initial assumption differed from the current understanding. This provides clarity and emphasizes the shift in perspective.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "originally I assumed". This can make your writing repetitive. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "initially I believed" or "at first I thought".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "originally I assumed" functions as an introductory clause indicating a past belief or expectation. It sets the stage for a contrast between what was previously thought and what is currently understood. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "originally I assumed" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that introduces a past belief that has since changed. It is most commonly found in news and scientific contexts, as shown by Ludwig. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by clearly contrasting the initial assumption with the current understanding. Alternatives such as "initially I believed" and "at first I thought" can provide variety in your writing. Avoid overuse to maintain readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially I believed

Emphasizes the starting point of a belief and is slightly more formal.

at first I thought

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the initial thought process.

my initial assumption was

Highlights the assumption itself rather than the act of assuming.

I had presumed at the outset

More formal and emphasizes the act of presuming something at the beginning.

I previously supposed

Implies a formal tone and focuses on a prior supposition.

earlier I had understood

Focuses on a prior state of understanding which is now different.

I formerly imagined

Suggests a sense of imagination or envisioning in the past.

I once considered

Highlights a past consideration or opinion.

in the beginning, I gathered

Expresses the initial understanding from the beginning of a situation.

to begin with, I reckoned

Suggests a casual initial assessment or calculation.

FAQs

How can I use "originally I assumed" in a sentence?

You can use "originally I assumed" to introduce a past belief or expectation that you no longer hold, like: "Originally I assumed that the project would be simple, but it proved to be quite complex".

What can I say instead of "originally I assumed"?

You can use alternatives like "initially I believed", "at first I thought", or "my initial assumption was" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "originally I assumed" in formal writing?

Yes, "originally I assumed" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when you need to show a shift in your understanding or perspective. However, in certain formal context you can opt for "initially I believed" if you aim for a more refined writing.

What's the difference between "originally I assumed" and "I used to think"?

"Originally I assumed" is used when you had a specific initial assumption, while "I used to think" refers to a general belief or opinion you held in the past. "Originally I assumed" is also a bit more formal.