thought so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thought so" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express agreement or confirmation of a previous assumption or belief. Example: "When she said she would be late, I thought so, given the traffic conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thought so.

The New York Times

Some people thought so.

The New Yorker

"I thought so, ma'am.

The New York Times

I thought so.

The New York Times

Rainwater thought so.

The New Yorker

Not everybody thought so.

The New Yorker

I never thought so.

The New York Times

Pi thought so too.

The New York Times - Arts

I thought so too"?

The New York Times

Even Rodchenko thought so.

The New York Times

One reader thought so.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thought so" to express a confirmation of a prior belief or expectation, creating a sense of agreement or shared understanding with the other person.

Common error

While "thought so" is widely acceptable, be mindful of the formality of your writing. In highly formal documents, consider using alternatives like "I anticipated that" or "I expected as much" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought so" primarily functions as an interjection or a short declarative clause expressing agreement or confirmation. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it's often a quick response to indicate that a prior assumption or expectation has been met, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thought so" is a very common phrase primarily used to express agreement or confirmation, particularly in informal settings and neutral contexts such as News & Media. While grammatically correct and widely used, it should be used cautiously in formal or academic writing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and the examples provided showcase its versatility in various conversational scenarios. Consider alternatives like "I figured as much" or "I suspected that" for more formal tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I figured as much

This alternative is more informal and implies a sense of expectation or predictability.

That's what I expected

This alternative confirms a previous expectation without necessarily implying strong conviction.

I suspected that

This phrase indicates a degree of uncertainty or doubt, implying a less confident expectation.

I was expecting that

This phrase expresses anticipation, often in response to something unsurprising.

I anticipated that

This alternative suggests a more proactive expectation or prediction of an event or situation.

I assumed that

This alternative suggests a conclusion reached without complete evidence.

I knew it all along

This phrase expresses a stronger sense of certainty and prior knowledge.

I had a feeling

This phrase indicates an intuitive sense or hunch about something.

I took it for granted

This phrase implies that something was considered likely without conscious thought.

I presupposed that

This suggests a prior assumption as a basis for further reasoning or action.

FAQs

How can I use "thought so" in a sentence?

You can use "thought so" to express confirmation or agreement with a previous statement or expectation. For example, "You must be tired after that long journey." "Yeah, "thought so"."

What are some alternatives to "thought so"?

Alternatives to "thought so" include "I figured as much", "I suspected that", or "I expected that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "thought so" formal or informal?

"Thought so" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "I anticipated that" or "I expected as much".

Can "thought so" be used in academic writing?

While not strictly incorrect, "thought so" is generally too informal for academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "It was anticipated" or "This was expected" in academic contexts.