thought it wise

USAGE SUMMARY

"thought it wise" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express the opinion of a person or group when making a decision or taking some sort of action. For example, "The board of directors thought it wise to postpone the meeting due to the inclement weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And the women of Brownsville apparently thought it wise, too.

The New York Times

Rather, Thomson thought it wise that the researcher first clarify his own ideas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But he said he thought it wise not to ask too many questions.

The New York Times

All the same, neither thought it wise to stay the night.

The Economist

So he thought it wise to try a gentler, more Zen tactic: he started writing haikus.

The New York Times

And how can Mr Pitt have thought it wise to suppress the information about Mr Webster's past?

The Economist

Deng thought it wise to try new ideas in areas where leaders supported reforms and conditions were favorable.

The New York Times

And how could Mr Pitt have thought it wise to suppress the information about Mr Webster's past?

The Economist

While I agreed, I thought it wise to ask her what she meant, in case we were not in accord.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Since the British government thought it wiser to respect the minority views and reject….

The New Yorker

Horby, a professor who specialises in tropical disease outbreaks, thought it wiser to say nothing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thought it wise", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the judgment and what the basis for their wisdom was. Providing this context enhances clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "thought it wise" when a simpler, more direct phrase like "decided" or "chose" would suffice. Overusing "thought it wise" can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought it wise" functions primarily as a verb phrase expressing a past judgment or decision based on perceived wisdom or prudence. Ludwig AI's analysis, along with the examples provided, confirms its role in conveying a deliberate choice made with consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thought it wise" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a past judgment or decision based on prudence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a verb phrase indicating a reasoned choice. Its register ranges from neutral to formal, with frequent occurrences in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies who made the judgment and the reasoning behind it. While alternatives like "deemed it prudent" or "considered it advisable" exist, "thought it wise" remains a reliable choice for conveying thoughtful decision-making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deemed it prudent

Replaces "thought" with "deemed" and "wise" with "prudent", offering a more formal tone.

considered it advisable

Substitutes "wise" with "advisable", emphasizing the recommendation aspect.

judged it sensible

Replaces "thought" with "judged" and "wise" with "sensible", focusing on sound reasoning.

believed it judicious

Uses "believed" instead of "thought" and "judicious" instead of "wise", adding a layer of formality and careful consideration.

felt it was sagacious

Replaces "thought it wise" with a more sophisticated vocabulary using "sagacious".

concluded it was strategic

Focuses on the strategic advantage of the decision, rather than its general wisdom.

determined it was cautious

Highlights the cautious nature of the decision, suggesting a risk-averse approach.

found it circumspect

Emphasizes the careful and hesitant nature of the decision.

regarded it as canny

Implies shrewdness and cleverness in the decision-making process.

presumed it was tactical

Focuses on the immediate tactical advantage gained by the decision.

FAQs

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

Use "thought it wise" to express that someone considered an action to be prudent or sensible, such as: "The committee "thought it wise" to postpone the vote."

What are some alternatives to saying "thought it wise"?

Alternatives include phrases like "deemed it prudent", "considered it advisable", or "judged it sensible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "thought it wise" or "felt it wise"?

"Thought it wise" generally carries a slightly more formal tone than "felt it wise", which suggests a more intuitive or emotional judgment.

What's the difference between "thought it wise" and "thought it necessary"?

"Thought it wise" implies a judgment of prudence and good sense, while "thought it necessary" suggests the action was deemed essential or unavoidable. The former focuses on advisability, the latter on requirement.