thought it best

USAGE SUMMARY

"thought it best" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express the idea that you considered a certain course of action to be the best option. For example, "I thought it best to talk to my boss about the issue before making any decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I thought it best not to".

Independent

So I thought it best to sell".

The New York Times

I thought it best to shut up.

The Guardian - Arts

Mawmaw thought it best not to attend the funeral.

The New Yorker

I thought it best not to suggest cooking.

The Guardian - Travel

Mosby thought it best to say nothing of Trudy.

The New Yorker

I thought it best to maintain a sphinxlike expression on my way back into the house.

The New Yorker

"Peter thought it best to go away without speaking to her," Potter writes.

The New Yorker

Her competitors stole glances at her but thought it best not to catch her gaze.

The New York Times - Sports

I have always thought it best to leave the green ink brigade to stew.

The Guardian - Opinion

Briggs spotted Marjorie at the bar but thought it best not to mention it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thought it best" to convey a sense of careful consideration and judgment, particularly when explaining past decisions in reports or narratives.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "thought it best" too frequently can make your writing sound overly formal. In casual conversations or informal writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "decided it was better" or "figured it was best" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought it best" functions as a verb phrase indicating a considered decision or judgment regarding a course of action. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is used to express that someone considered a certain action to be the most suitable or advisable option.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thought it best" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a considered decision or judgment, implying a rationale behind a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While generally acceptable across different registers, it tends to lean towards neutrality, but be aware that there can be alternatives like "deemed it wise" or "decided it best" can be useful in less formal contexts. As a very common phrase, you will encounter it in most of the authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian or The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decided it best

Simple and direct alternative, less formal than "thought it best".

deemed it wise

Emphasizes the wisdom and careful consideration behind the decision.

considered it prudent

Highlights the cautious and sensible nature of the judgment.

judged it advisable

Focuses on the recommendation and suitability of the action.

determined it preferable

Stresses the choice made based on a favored option.

concluded it fitting

Highlights that the decision was appropriate for a specific situation.

saw fit

A more concise and direct way of saying something was seen as appropriate or necessary.

felt it necessary

Emphasizes the perceived need or obligation behind the decision.

believed it appropriate

Focuses on the belief that the action was suitable or fitting.

resolved it suitable

Highlights the decision or resolution that the action was suitable or fitting.

FAQs

How to use "thought it best" in a sentence?

The phrase "thought it best" is used to indicate that someone considered a particular course of action to be the most suitable or advisable. For example, "She "thought it best" to remain silent during the argument."

What can I say instead of "thought it best"?

Alternatives to "thought it best" include "deemed it wise", "considered it prudent", or "judged it advisable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "thought it best" formal or informal?

"Thought it best" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, you might prefer phrases like "decided it was best" or "figured it was better".

What is the difference between "thought it best" and "thought it better"?

"Thought it best" implies a more considered and reasoned decision, suggesting the action was the most suitable option. "Thought it better" simply suggests one option was preferable to another, without necessarily implying it was the optimal choice.