thought them

USAGE SUMMARY

"thought them" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a grammatically correct construction that is commonly used in everyday speech. Example: She thought them to be untrustworthy and decided not to associate with them anymore.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Poets place their voices inside our heads, so close to our thoughts that it feels as though we've thought them up.

The New Yorker

Dement thought them "too grand," she said.

The New Yorker

I thought them to be idiotic preferences".

The New Yorker

Had I thought them worthy.

The Guardian - Film

Joe thought them "really really incredible".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I read the pieces later myself and thought them incontrovertible.

The New Yorker

Can you imagine if the Americans had thought them up?

Independent

Pessimists thought them too difficult or too dangerous for grandstanding.

The Economist

Kalpin remarked "I allus thought them dam wagons wuz duds".

The New Yorker

He thought them too tepid on Britain's relations with Europe.

The Guardian

Half thought them to be two-thirds of a person.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "considered them" or "believed them" to add variety to your writing and tailor the expression to the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "thought them" when the referent of 'them' is unclear or distant in the text. Rewrite the sentence to explicitly state who or what is being referred to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought them" primarily functions as a verb phrase where 'thought' is the past tense of 'think' and 'them' is a pronoun acting as the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound construction. Examples from Ludwig show it expressing an opinion or assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thought them" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for expressing an opinion or belief about a group. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the example sentences illustrate various contexts in which it is used. While generally neutral in register, the specific meaning can be nuanced by choosing related phrases like "considered them" or "believed them". To ensure clarity, it is important to clearly identify the referent of 'them' in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considered them

Replaces 'thought' with 'considered', implying a more deliberate evaluation.

believed them to be

Emphasizes the belief aspect rather than just thinking.

deemed them

A more formal synonym for 'thought', suggesting a judgment.

regarded them as

Focuses on the manner in which they were regarded or viewed.

judged them to be

Implies a more critical assessment.

perceived them as

Highlights the subjective perception of the individuals or objects.

viewed them as

Similar to 'regarded', but with a slightly different nuance.

found them to be

Suggests a discovery or finding after some consideration.

understood them as

Focuses on comprehension and understanding.

assumed them to be

Indicates a presumption without concrete evidence.

FAQs

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

You can use "thought them" to express an opinion or belief about a group of people or things. For example, "The critics "thought them" too experimental."

What are some alternatives to "thought them"?

Alternatives include "considered them", "believed them to be", or "deemed them". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "thought them to be" or simply "thought them"?

Adding "to be" can sometimes make the phrase slightly more formal, but in many contexts, it's a matter of stylistic preference. Both "thought them" and "thought them to be" are grammatically correct.

Which is correct, "thought them" or "thought of them"?

The correct phrase depends on the intended meaning. "Thought them" implies a judgment or opinion, while "thought of them" refers to recalling or considering someone or something.