originally I believed

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He wrote, in Wired magazine, "Originally, I believed that the FCC could assure Internet openness through a determination of 'commercial reasonableness.' " But, he said, he had come to fear that a weak rule would "be interpreted to mean what is reasonable for commercial interests, not consumers".

The New Yorker

Originally, I believed that the FCC could assure internet openness through a determination of "commercial reasonableness" under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And Ruskin, who wrote of Rubens that "his calibre of mind was originally such that I believe the world may see another Titian and another Raffaelle, before it sees another Rubens", nevertheless identified in him an "unfortunate want of seriousness and incapability of true passion".

The Guardian - Arts

"Dust My Broom" is a blues song originally recorded as "I Believe I'll Dust My Broom" by American blues artist Robert Johnson in 1936.

Wikipedia

These are the Bonwit Teller store at Fifth and 56th, replaced by Trump Tower; the Savoy Hotel on the Plaza, replaced by the G.M. building; and lastly the Singer Tower on lower Broadway, replaced by the black behemoth that was I believe originally called the U.S. Steel Building.

The New York Times

Those, I believe, were originally the words of Macbeth, put into his mouth by William Shakespeare.

The Guardian - Sport

But the city's term-limits law kicks in this year, and the mayor has to go, along with ever so many other veteran politicians, including the borough president of Brooklyn, who I believe was originally a political protégé of Peter Stuyvesant.

The New York Times

"I have recently been talking to a boy who I did originally meet on Tinder and I believe that we are going to prom together," Anna, a 17-year-old high school senior in New Jersey, says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the piece, which I believe was originally titled "The Fixer," Fallows says of Brown that "in his reprise as governor, he's been as ruthlessly practical as he's been reflective, embracing his inner politician to restore the California dream".

Huffington Post

I believe this was originally a commission idea by Susana Reyes but I may be mistaken.

Vice

By my mid-twenties I'd evolved into a confused and deeply questioning one, and by my late-twenties, when I realized it was a darker and less spiritual setting than I'd originally believed, slipped away with little notice and no sirens or barking dogs in pursuit.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear that you are discussing a past belief and not a current one.

Common error

Avoid leaving the sentence hanging without explaining your current understanding after stating what you "originally believed". Always follow up with the evolved perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "originally I believed" functions as an introductory conjunction phrase, setting the stage for a contrast between a past belief and a current understanding. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to express a change in perspective.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "originally I believed" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a past belief that has since changed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for written English. While not very common, it's frequently found in news articles and scientific writing. Remember to clearly articulate the shift in your understanding when using this phrase. Consider alternatives like "at first I thought" or "initially, I considered" for simpler or more formal contexts, respectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at first I thought

Replaces "originally I believed" with a simpler, more direct expression of initial thought.

initially, I considered

Emphasizes the preliminary nature of the belief or consideration.

I initially assumed

Highlights the assumption made at the beginning.

I previously thought

Focuses on the timing of the belief, indicating it was held in the past.

in the beginning I had thought

Adds emphasis to the initial phase of the thought process.

my initial belief was

Formalizes the statement and specifies the 'belief'.

I once thought

Indicates a belief that was held at some point in the past.

I used to think

Highlights that the speaker doesn't think that anymore.

earlier I was under the impression

Highlights the misinformation at some point in the past.

it was my understanding that

Introduces the belief as something 'understood' at the time.

FAQs

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

You can use "originally I believed" to introduce a past belief that has since changed, such as, "Originally I believed the project would be simple, but it turned out to be quite complex."

What is a more formal way to say "originally I believed"?

A more formal alternative to "originally I believed" is "initially, I considered" or "my initial belief was".

What are some common synonyms for "originally I believed"?

Common synonyms include "at first I thought", "I previously thought", or "I initially assumed".

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "originally I believed"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "originally I believed", as it functions as an introductory phrase.