then i thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"then I thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to link two ideas that are related to each other. For example, "I was stuck on the first problem, then I thought of a clever solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But then I thought again.

The New Yorker

Then I thought, My book.

The New Yorker

Then I thought the crossroads.

The New York Times - Arts

"Then I thought, 'Wow.

The New York Times - Style

Then I thought, no.

The New York Times - Style

Then I thought, Quel schlep.

The New Yorker

Then I thought perhaps a musician.

The New Yorker

"But then I thought of my daughter".

The New York Times

"Then I thought it was a cataract.

The New York Times - Health

And then I thought: Yes, I am.

The New Yorker

Then I thought it was a fox.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "then I thought" to clearly indicate a shift in your thinking or a subsequent idea that occurred to you. It's particularly useful in narratives or reflective writing.

Common error

Avoid using "then I thought" repeatedly in a short passage. Vary your sentence structure with synonyms like "later I realized" or "on second thought" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "then I thought" is to serve as a transitional phrase that introduces a thought, idea, or realization occurring after a preceding event or consideration. As supported by Ludwig's examples, it functions as a conjunction, linking sequential thoughts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "then I thought" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a subsequent thought or realization, commonly found in news and media and academic writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. While highly frequent, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider synonyms to maintain stylistic variation. Ludwig examples demonstrate its adaptability across diverse writing contexts, making it a valuable tool for clear and coherent expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on second thought, I

Indicates a change of mind after initial consideration.

at that point, I realized

Highlights the moment of realization or understanding.

after that, I considered

Replaces "then" with "after that" and "thought" with "considered", emphasizing a reflective process.

later, my conclusion was

Shifts the focus to the conclusion reached after a period of time.

following this, I reasoned

Emphasizes the logical progression of thought.

after reflection, I believed

Adds a sense of introspection and conviction.

subsequently, I surmised

Uses more formal synonyms for "then" and "thought", increasing the formality.

in retrospect, my view was

Frames the thought within a reflective, hindsight perspective.

next, I pondered

Implies a deeper contemplation process.

thereupon, it occurred to me

Replaces the phrase with a more literary and reflective expression.

FAQs

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

Use "then I thought" to introduce a thought that occurred after a previous action or thought. For example, "I initially planned to go to the beach, "then I thought" it might rain and decided to stay home."

What are some alternatives to "then I thought"?

You can use alternatives such as "later I realized", "on second thought", or "after reflecting, I concluded" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "then I was thinking" instead of "then I thought"?

While "then I was thinking" is grammatically correct, ""then I thought"" is more concise and often preferred, especially in narrative writing. "Then I was thinking" implies a more prolonged period of consideration.

What's the difference between "then I thought" and "and then I thought"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "and then I thought" often implies a stronger connection to the preceding statement, suggesting it's a direct continuation or addition to the previous idea. "Then I thought" can indicate a slightly more independent or subsequent thought.