than I thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "than I thought" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is different from one's initial expectations. Example sentence: The exam was more difficult than I thought.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More than I thought".

The New York Times - Sports

It was better than I thought.

Independent

She finish it earlier than I thought".

The New York Times - Sports

This is more complicated than I thought.

The New York Times

"More than I thought," he said.

The New York Times

This is much better than I thought".

The New York Times - Sports

"Damn, that's closer than I thought".

The New York Times - Sports

"But it's better than I thought".

The New York Times

It's just bigger than I thought.

The New York Times - Arts

It's worse than I thought.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I'm further than I thought we were".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "than I thought" to express a change in your perception or understanding after gaining new information or experiencing something firsthand.

Common error

Ensure you are using "than", which is used for comparisons, and not "then", which indicates time sequence. A common mistake is to write 'It was easier then I thought', which is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is 'It was easier "than I thought".'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "than I thought" functions primarily as a comparative element within a sentence. It indicates that something is different from a previous expectation or belief. As supported by Ludwig AI, this phrase commonly modifies adjectives or adverbs to express a degree of surprise or altered perception.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "than I thought" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a difference between initial expectations and a current understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a comparative element, often modifying adjectives or adverbs. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its usage spans various formality levels while remaining largely neutral. When using this phrase, remember to use "than" for comparisons and ensure clarity in the comparison being made. Consider alternatives like ""more than I expected"" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than I anticipated

Replaces "thought" with "anticipated", emphasizing a proactive expectation rather than a passive thought.

more than I expected

Uses "expected" instead of "thought", highlighting an anticipation of something to occur.

contrary to my initial belief

Indicates a direct contradiction to a previously held belief, adding a formal tone.

different from what I imagined

Substitutes "thought" with "imagined", focusing on a mental image that differed from reality.

beyond my initial expectations

Highlights exceeding initial anticipations rather than simply differing from them.

more significant than I realised

Replaces "thought" with "realised", implying a gradual understanding or awareness.

on a scale bigger than I predicted

Emphasizes scale and prediction, differing from a general thought or expectation.

in opposition to what I had originally thought

Highlights a complete reversal of original thoughts, adding a degree of formality.

in contrast to what I considered before

Introduces a contrast with prior considerations, focusing on comparison and evaluation.

other than I had originally surmised

Uses "surmised" to imply a tentative or speculative initial thought.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "than I thought" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "contrary to my initial belief", "beyond my initial expectations", or "more significant than I realised", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "than I thought" and "than I expected"?

While both express surprise, "than I thought" refers to a general idea or belief you held, while "than I expected" implies a specific anticipation of an outcome or event. You can use the phrase "more than I expected".

Is it correct to say "than what I thought" instead of "than I thought"?

While not inherently incorrect, "than what I thought" is less common and can sound awkward. "Than I thought" is generally more concise and natural. Using "different from what I imagined" may sound better.

What are some common mistakes people make when using the phrase "than I thought"?

A frequent error is confusing "than" with "then", as in 'It was easier then I thought'. Also, ensure the comparison is clear and logical, for example, 'The task was harder "than I thought" it would be' provides better context.