people thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"people thought" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the belief or opinion of a group of individuals. You can use it in any sentence where you want to express the thoughts or opinions of a group of people. For example: - People thought that the new law would have a positive impact on the environment. - In the past, people thought that the earth was flat. - Despite the controversy, many people thought that the movie was a masterpiece. - People thought differently about the situation, some believing it was good while others considered it bad. - When the news first broke, people thought it was a hoax but it turned out to be true.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Some people thought the idea was ridiculous.

Forbes

Some people thought so.

The New Yorker

"Many people thought that.

The New Yorker

— than people thought.

The New Yorker

People thought I made "Coraline".

The New York Times

"People thought I was mad.

The New York Times - Magazine

People thought they knew her.

The New York Times - Books

"People thought you were dead".

The New Yorker

"People thought Twitter was behind".

The New York Times - Tech

People thought he was rude.

The New York Times

Or so most people thought.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "people thought", ensure that the context clearly indicates who "people" refers to. If the group is specific (e.g., scientists, historians), specify it for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "people thought" when you can provide more specific attribution. Instead of saying "people thought the policy would fail", specify "economists thought the policy would fail" if that's the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "people thought" primarily functions as a clause starter or a parenthetical insertion to introduce a common belief, assumption, or perception. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in a wide array of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "people thought" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate a shared belief, perception, or assumption held by a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. While generally neutral in formality, the phrase can be strengthened by providing more specific attribution rather than an overgeneralization. Common alternatives include "it was believed" and "the prevailing view was". With its ubiquitous presence, understanding the nuances of "people thought" is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most people considered

Directly states that a majority of individuals held a specific view or judgment.

the general consensus was

Focuses on an agreed-upon opinion or conclusion among a group.

they used to think

Highlights that at one time in the past the people shared the same opinion.

it was believed

Uses a passive construction to express a general belief, omitting specific actors.

the prevailing view was

Indicates the most popular or dominant opinion at a particular time.

it was generally understood

Conveys a shared knowledge or awareness among a group of people.

it was widely assumed

Highlights an assumption held by many, implying a lack of concrete evidence.

the common perception was

Emphasizes a widespread understanding or viewpoint on a subject.

the public opinion was

Refers to the collective attitude or sentiment of the population.

many surmised

Indicates that a large number of people made a guess or inference.

FAQs

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

The phrase "people thought" is used to express a general belief or opinion held by a group of people. For example: "People thought the world was flat until scientific evidence proved otherwise".

What's a more formal alternative to "people thought"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "it was widely believed" or "the prevailing view was" instead of "people thought".

Is "people thought" grammatically correct?

Yes, "people thought" is grammatically correct. It uses the plural noun "people" with the past tense of the verb "think".

What's the difference between "people think" and "people thought"?

"People think" expresses a current belief or opinion, whereas "people thought" refers to a belief or opinion held in the past.