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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
so thought
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"so thought" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that a previous thought or statement is the reason for the current action or opinion. For example, "The speaker had a powerful presentation, so thought the audience members as they applauded."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Academia
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
46 human-written examples
(So thought the 18th-century Deists).
Encyclopedias
"They only had girls so thought I was killing the boys".
News & Media
So thought Bertolt Brecht, who wrote his play "Galileo" three times.
News & Media
So thought Benjamin Franklin, despite the former creature being fat and flightless.
News & Media
But I love it and so thought you ought to know that!
News & Media
So thought it would be lovely to post another video of his progress.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
14 human-written examples
As you do so, think happy thoughts.
Wiki
So, think about that.
Academia
So think big.
Academia
So think about it.
Academia
So think about St. Pete.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "so thought" to add a touch of formality or emphasis to your writing. It's particularly effective when summarizing a prevailing opinion or belief.
Common error
Avoid using "so thought" without clearly indicating who held that thought. Ambiguity can confuse readers. Always make the subject of the thought explicit.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.4/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "so thought" functions as an adverbial phrase that indicates a consequence or a belief held by someone. As shown in Ludwig, it often connects a previous statement or observation with a subsequent action or conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms it is a correct and usable phrase.
Frequent in
News & Media
55%
Academia
25%
Science
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
5%
Wiki
3%
Formal & Business
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "so thought" is grammatically correct and frequently used, serving as an adverbial phrase to indicate a consequence or attributed belief. Ludwig AI validated its usability, and Ludwig examples demonstrate its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific sources. To use "so thought" effectively, ensure clear contextual attribution and avoid ambiguity. Related alternatives include "thus believed" and "therefore concluded". While generally considered neutral in register, it conveys a sense of reasoned deduction or agreement and is a useful way to add clarity and emphasis to your writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
it was thought
Uses passive voice to express what was generally believed or understood.
thus believed
Expresses a similar sentiment of agreement or deduction, replacing 'thought' with 'believed'.
therefore concluded
Indicates a logical conclusion drawn from a previous statement, substituting 'thought' with 'concluded'.
accordingly reasoned
Highlights the reasoning process behind a particular thought or action, using 'reasoned' instead of 'thought'.
consequently considered
Shows a cause-and-effect relationship, where something was considered as a result of a prior observation.
hence surmised
Implies a guess or inference based on incomplete information, replacing 'thought' with 'surmised'.
it seemed reasonable to assume
Suggests a justification for a particular assumption, implying a rational basis for the thought.
it appeared logical to deduce
Emphasizes the logical aspect of the deduction made.
the consensus was
Highlights a general agreement or shared belief.
that was the understanding
Indicates a common perception or interpretation.
FAQs
How can I use "so thought" in a sentence?
Use "so thought" to express that a particular conclusion or action was a result of previous reasoning or belief. For example, "The evidence was compelling, so thought the jury."
What are some alternatives to "so thought"?
You can use alternatives like "thus believed", "therefore concluded", or "it was thought" depending on the context.
Is it correct to say "so think" instead of "so thought"?
While "so think" might be used in informal contexts, "so thought" is generally more appropriate for formal writing. "So think" usually implies an ongoing thought process, whereas "so thought" refers to a completed idea.
What's the difference between "so thought" and "as a result"?
"So thought" directly attributes a thought to someone, while "as a result" indicates a consequence without specifying the thinker. For example, "The data was flawed, so thought the scientist" versus "The data was flawed; as a result, the experiment failed."
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.4/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested