so we thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"so we thought" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a previous thought or opinion, especially when prefacing a conclusion or opinion. For example: We had heard that the test would be easy, so we thought that it would be a good opportunity to try out our new study strategies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Or so we thought.

The New York Times

Animals naturally stretch or so we thought.

Harvard University

The piece was lost, or so we thought.

The New York Times - Arts

The world was ours — or so we thought.

The New York Times

Brazil, or so we thought, was marching on.

The New York Times - Sports

Off to play Brooklyn — or so we thought.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Or so we think.

The New Yorker

So we think.

The Guardian

So we think very carefully.

Harvard University

And so we think that's fantastic.

The New York Times

So we think these are really important".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "so we thought" with a brief explanation of why the initial thought was incorrect for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "so we thought" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your transitional phrases to maintain reader engagement and prevent redundancy. Consider using synonyms or rephrasing to express the shift in perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so we thought" functions as a discourse marker, signaling a shift in perspective or a contrast between a prior belief and a current understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It often prefaces a correction or a revised viewpoint based on new information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

28%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"So we thought" is a commonly used phrase that signals a change in perspective or a contrast between a past belief and a current understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. Predominantly found in news and academic contexts, the phrase serves as a discourse marker to introduce revised viewpoints or corrections. When writing, use "so we thought" to add depth by highlighting the shift from an earlier held belief. Consider alternative phrasing to avoid redundancy, and maintain awareness of context when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as we believed

Emphasizes a prior belief held by the speaker.

as we assumed

Highlights an assumption made before gaining new information.

as we understood it

Focuses on a previous understanding of a situation.

or so it seemed to us

Adds a sense of appearance versus reality.

what we initially believed

Directly states the initial belief.

what was our initial perception

Focuses on the starting perception.

contrary to our initial expectations

Highlights the difference between expectation and reality.

we were under the impression that

Emphasizes the mistaken impression.

that's what we used to think

Informal way to express a change in opinion.

that was our understanding at the time

Specifies the time frame of the previous understanding.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "so we thought" in a sentence?

Use "so we thought" to create a contrast between an initial assumption and the actual outcome or current understanding. It often sets up a plot twist or a revised perspective.

What are some alternatives to "so we thought" that I can use?

You can use alternatives like "as we believed", "as we assumed", or "what we initially believed" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "so we thought" in formal writing?

While "so we thought" is generally acceptable, consider the tone of your writing. In very formal contexts, a more sophisticated phrase like "contrary to our initial expectations" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "so we thought" and "or so we thought"?

"Or so we thought" emphasizes the deceptive nature of the initial belief, suggesting it was misleading from the start, while "so we thought" is a more neutral way to introduce a contrast in understanding.