thought it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "thought it was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you previously had a certain opinion about something but now you realize that it was wrong. For example: "I thought it was going to be a simple job, but I was wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thought it was construction.

Independent

He thought it was.

The Economist

I thought it was dirty".

The New York Times

I thought it was despicable.

The New York Times

I thought it was abusive.

The New Yorker

I thought it was impossible.

The New York Times

He thought it was bloated".

The New Yorker

"I thought it was free".

The New York Times

I thought it was important".

The New York Times - Sports

I thought it was fun.

The New York Times

"I thought it was fake.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thought it was" to express a past belief that may or may not be accurate in hindsight. Be sure to provide context to clarify the reason for your belief.

Common error

Ensure the pronoun "it" has a clear referent. Vague pronoun reference can confuse readers. Always make sure it is clear what "it" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought it was" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past belief or opinion. It typically introduces a subjective assessment or understanding of a situation or object, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thought it was" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a past belief or perception. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources. To enhance clarity, ensure the referent of "it" is clear to avoid ambiguity. While various alternatives exist, such as "believed it to be" or "assumed it was", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to provide context and clarify the reasons behind your past belief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believed it to be

Emphasizes a more formal belief about the nature of something.

had the impression it was

Highlights a fleeting or vague belief.

considered it as

Highlights a more considered or deliberate judgment.

understood it as

Focuses on comprehension and interpretation.

assumed it would be

Focuses on an expectation rather than a firm belief.

it seemed to me that it was

Expresses a personal perspective or feeling.

presumed it to represent

Suggests an assumption based on incomplete evidence.

my understanding was that it was

Stresses the subjective nature of the comprehension.

imagined it as

Implies a more fanciful or less grounded belief.

took it for

Indicates a mistaken initial impression.

FAQs

How can I use "thought it was" in a sentence?

Use "thought it was" to express a belief you held in the past. For example, "I "thought it was" a good idea at the time, but now I regret it".

What's the difference between "I thought it was" and "I think it is"?

"I "thought it was"" refers to a past belief, while "I think it is" expresses a current belief or opinion.

Which is correct, "thought it was" or "thought it to be"?

Both "thought it was" and "thought it to be" are grammatically correct, but ""thought it was"" is more common in everyday speech. "Thought it to be" is more formal.

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

Alternatives include "believed it to be", "assumed it was", or "considered it as", depending on the context.