thought of it as

USAGE SUMMARY

"thought of it as" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when discussing someone's perception or understanding of something. For example: - She thought of it as a challenge rather than a setback. - They always thought of him as the funny one in the group. - I thought of it as a gift, not a burden. - He never thought of it as a possibility until it actually happened. - We thought of it as a team effort, not an individual accomplishment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

During the interview, he explained that he had first thought of it as 'stomach flu', "which I thought would just pass, but now I can see it was probably the cancer that had begun".

BMC Health Services Research

"Back when the WWF was founded," – its first office was opened on 11 September 1961 – "people thought of it as being about wildlife.

The Guardian

I kind of thought of it as living here".

The New York Times

They express delight here that some thought of it as a Mad magazine for grown-ups, and indeed cite Mad as one of their influences.

The New York Times - Books

In Bristol, no one thought of it as a comedy festival: it combined improvised music, theatre, spoken word, animation and comedy in equal measure.

The Guardian

"I don't think Peter thought of it as an act good or bad," says Fox. "He just had to do it.

The Guardian - Books

The Japanese thought of it as a new concept, pronounced kyoso, during the Meiji era, eventually accepting it as a central notion in their American-imposed anti-monopoly law of 1947.

The Economist

I've always been mystified by the idea of evil (or else thought of it as something abstract and elusive, not modern — like vivid beliefs in a devil and a fiery hell).

The New Yorker

It seemed plausible: Bowie has always been fascinated both by messianic dictators – not least the relationship of their power to that of celebrity – and by the idea that the world is facing a future so terrifying that the thought of it, as he once put it, makes your brain hurt a lot.

The Guardian - Music

Sarah: We kind of all thought of it as a bit of by-product … rather than it being still of some relevant value at that point.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

In realiThe Mark Zuckerberg and all the younglings getting the attention are the exception.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the pronoun "it" clearly refers to a specific subject within the sentence to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "thought of it as" when a more direct and factual statement is appropriate. The phrase implies a personal interpretation, so if you're stating a generally accepted fact, a simpler phrasing is better.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought of it as" functions as a phrasal verb used to express someone's subjective interpretation, perception, or understanding of a particular situation, object, or concept. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and commonly used in English writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thought of it as" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express subjective interpretations and perspectives. As Ludwig AI validates, it's a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, particularly in contexts where individual viewpoints are important. While the phrase is suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's essential to use it when conveying personal interpretations rather than objective facts. Remember that alternative phrases like "considered it to be" or "viewed it as" can offer subtle differences in emphasis, providing options for more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

saw it as

A simpler, more direct way of expressing the idea.

viewed it as

Focuses on a specific perspective or viewpoint.

considered it to be

Emphasizes a more formal or deliberate assessment.

perceived it as

Highlights the subjective nature of the understanding.

regarded it as

Implies a reasoned judgment or estimation.

interpreted it as

Stresses the act of assigning meaning.

understood it as

Focuses on comprehension and meaning.

took it to be

Suggests a preliminary or tentative assessment.

believed it to be

Emphasizes a conviction or personal truth.

deemed it to be

Highlights an authoritative or official judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "thought of it as" in a sentence?

You can use "thought of it as" to describe how someone perceived or interpreted something. For example, "She thought of it as a challenge, not a setback."

What are some alternatives to "thought of it as"?

Some alternatives include "considered it to be", "viewed it as", or "perceived it as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I thought of it like" instead of "I thought of it as"?

While "I thought of it like" is sometimes used informally, "I thought of it as" is generally considered more grammatically correct and appropriate for formal writing.

What's the difference between "thought of it as" and "regarded it as"?

"Regarded it as" implies a more considered judgment or estimation, while "thought of it as" simply indicates a perception or understanding. "Regarded it as" often suggests a more formal or objective assessment.