thought for sure

USAGE SUMMARY

"thought for sure" is correct English and can be used in written English.
For example, "I thought for sure I'd gotten the job, but then they went with someone else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I thought for sure.

The New York Times - Sports

I thought for sure it was bird shit.

The New Yorker

The policeman thought for sure I was dead.

The New York Times - Magazine

Everyone thought for sure that my amnesia would be temporary.

The New York Times - Magazine

I thought for sure I was gonna make it".

The New York Times

"I thought for sure I was gone to the minors.

The New York Times

"She thought for sure she'd be getting a pashmina scarf".

The New York Times - Style

"I thought for sure I was going to die".

The New York Times

I thought for sure I was going to win that.

The New York Times - Sports

And the neighbors thought for sure we were all gone.

The New Yorker

"I thought for sure that he had been hit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thought for sure" to convey a sense of strong belief or expectation, but be mindful of the context. It's suitable for informal communication and narratives where a character expresses their assumptions. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "was certain" or "fully expected".

Common error

While "thought for sure" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Over-reliance can make your writing sound less professional. Mix it up with alternatives like "was convinced" or "believed strongly" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought for sure" functions as a qualifier expressing a strong belief or expectation. As indicated by Ludwig, it typically precedes a statement that either confirms or contradicts that initial belief. The phrase serves to emphasize the speaker's prior conviction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thought for sure" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a strong belief or expectation. Ludwig's analysis shows that the phrase is acceptable for use in English writing, with plenty of examples found in news and media. While its use is more suited to neutral or informal contexts, it effectively conveys certainty. When aiming for more formal expression, consider alternatives like "was certain" or "fully expected". As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is a versatile tool for expressing beliefs, provided it aligns with the intended tone and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was certain

Emphasizes a strong conviction or lack of doubt, replacing the more conversational "thought for sure".

was convinced

Highlights the state of being persuaded or completely sure about something.

fully expected

Focuses on the anticipation of an event with a high degree of confidence.

had no doubt

Expresses a firm belief without any reservations.

believed without question

Stresses the unquestioning nature of the belief, making it absolute.

was under the impression

Indicates a belief based on incomplete or possibly incorrect information; less certain than "thought for sure".

assumed as a given

Presents the belief as a foundational assumption that requires no further proof.

took it for granted

Implies the belief was so strong it was never questioned or considered.

presumed confidently

Highlights the confident manner in which the assumption was made.

anticipated with certainty

Focuses on the anticipation of an event coupled with a strong feeling of sureness.

FAQs

What does "thought for sure" mean?

The phrase "thought for sure" means to have believed something with a high degree of confidence or certainty. It implies an expectation that something would happen or be true, often followed by a situation where the expectation was either met or not met.

Is "thought for sure" grammatically correct?

Yes, "thought for sure" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English, especially in informal contexts. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples from reliable sources.

What are some alternatives to "thought for sure"?

You can use alternatives such as "was certain", "was convinced", or "fully expected" depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "thought for sure" in a sentence?

You can use "thought for sure" to express a prior belief or expectation, as in "I thought for sure I had locked the door" or "She thought for sure she would get the job after the interview".