previously thinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously thinking" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it suggests an ongoing action that conflicts with the word "previously," which indicates something that has already happened. Example: "I was previously thinking about changing my career path, but now I feel more secure in my current job."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I don't think I initially processed that she was using it for sexy time stuff but remembered previously thinking to myself that it would make for a great dildo, but there was no way in hell it would fit.

Vice

Kate Warne, an investment strategist at Edward Jones, said that while the stimulus looked positive at first blush, "at second blush, it says conditions weren't as strong as we were previously thinking".

The New York Times

While photography was just a hobby, I got an impetus to return to California where I had lived previously, thinking the move would be good for my career.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Intuitively, we would conclude that we had previously erred in thinking that gold is yellow we would not conclude that there is no gold.

SEP

Further, the paper reflects on the impact of proposed library closures in light of these previously hidden benefits, thinking about the library's role as an environment and not as a service provider.

Health & Place

The Blanco's shattered fortunes have supplied them an unwanted new status, one they share with millions of suburban households in a nation previously accustomed to thinking of suburbia in upwardly mobile terms: They are poor.

Huffington Post

Harris, meanwhile, dismissed the claims that the paperwork would be too burdensome or that the law will force officers who previously weren't thinking about race to stop being colorblind.

Vice

Previously orthodox thinking was there, but not any more.

The New York Times

Previously - Thinking  Stinks.

Vice

Previously - Thinking About Suicide in the Breakroom.

Vice

Nor are they the only rivals thinking the previously unthinkable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer alternatives such as "formerly believed" or "had thought before" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "previously thinking" to describe an action still in progress. Use it only to refer to a completed thought process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously thinking" functions as a verb phrase, attempting to describe a state of mind in the past. However, it's often considered grammatically awkward. Ludwig AI highlights the non-standard nature of this expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "previously thinking" aims to express a past thought or belief, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. As Ludwig AI indicates, alternatives such as "formerly believed", "earlier thought", or "used to think" are recommended for greater clarity and correctness. Although examples can be found, they don't establish the phrase as standard, therefore writers should exercise caution and opt for more conventional phrasing. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, but its use is still rare. When writing, choose alternative phrasing to enhance clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly believing

Replaces "thinking" with "believing" to emphasize a past held belief.

earlier thought

Uses "thought" as a noun to describe a past idea.

had thought before

Uses "had thought" to denote an action completed before another point in time.

once believed

Emphasizes a belief held at one point in the past, which is no longer held.

used to think

Indicates a habit or state that was true in the past but is not true now.

formerly considered

Substitutes "thinking" with "considered" to imply a past contemplation or evaluation.

initially assumed

Replaces "thinking" with "assumed" to highlight a prior assumption.

previously considered the idea

Adds the word "idea" to clarify what was previously being considered.

earlier entertained the notion

Uses "entertained the notion" to suggest that an idea was considered without necessarily being fully believed.

before I was thinking

Reorders the phrase for emphasis or to fit a different sentence structure.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "previously thinking"?

Alternatives include "formerly believing", "earlier thought", or "used to think", depending on the context.

Is "previously thinking" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, "previously thinking" is not considered correct in standard written English. It's better to use alternatives like "formerly believed" or "had thought".

How can I use "previously thinking" in a sentence?

While not recommended, if you must use it, ensure the context clearly indicates a past thought process. A better option is to rephrase using "formerly believed" or "earlier thought".

What's the difference between "previously thinking" and "used to think"?

"Used to think" implies a past habit of thinking something, while "previously thinking", although not grammatically standard, attempts to refer to a specific instance of past thought. In most cases, "used to think" or "formerly believed" are better choices.