thought to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thought to do" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an intended or anticipated action. Example: She thought to go to the store on her way home, but decided to take a different route.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which I never thought to do, honestly.

Princeton University

No one had thought to do that.

The New York Times - Magazine

We never thought to do that before".

The New York Times

No one thought to do that before Dean Smith.

The Washington Post

"I would never have thought to do something like that.

The New York Times

Damn, I wish we had thought to do that.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was incredible to me that Audrey had thought to do this.

The New York Times

"I would never have thought to do this myself," she said.

The New York Times

"I wouldn't even have thought to do that, much less pull it off".

The New York Times - Sports

It's surprising that no one has thought to do an anthology like this before.

The New York Times - Books

Which honestly I don't know why that wasn't the first thing I thought to do.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thought to do" when indicating a past consideration or intention that may or may not have been acted upon. For clarity, ensure the subject performing the thinking is clearly identified.

Common error

Avoid using "thought to do" to describe present intentions. Use "thinking of doing" or "intending to do" instead to convey ongoing consideration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought to do" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically following a verb of thinking or intending. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses an intended or anticipated action in the past. The structure often implies a plan or consideration that may or may not have been realized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thought to do" serves to express past intentions or considerations and enjoys widespread usage across various domains, including news, academia, and science, as validated by Ludwig AI. The grammatical correctness and versatility of "thought to do" are supported by its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. To ensure clarity, it's important to use the phrase to describe intention and to avoid confusing it with similar phrases like "thought of doing", which implies consideration rather than intention. Remembering these details will help ensure effective communication and precise expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considered doing

This alternative directly expresses the act of thinking about performing an action, focusing on the deliberation process.

contemplated doing

This alternative suggests a deeper level of thought and reflection before undertaking an action, implying a more serious consideration.

intended to do

This option highlights the purpose or plan behind an action, emphasizing the goal-oriented aspect of the thought process.

planned to do

Similar to 'intended to do', this alternative focuses on the preparation and arrangement involved in carrying out an action.

meant to do

This phrase implies a sense of obligation or expectation related to performing an action, often suggesting a prior commitment.

had in mind to do

This alternative emphasizes the mental conception or idea of doing something, highlighting the initial stage of planning.

envisaged doing

This option focuses on visualizing or imagining the process of carrying out an action, suggesting a detailed mental picture.

proposed to do

This phrase suggests putting forward a plan or suggestion for doing something, often in a formal or official context.

dreamed of doing

This alternative emphasizes the aspirational or wishful aspect of wanting to do something, often implying a strong desire.

had the idea to do

This option highlights the origin of an action in a thought or concept, emphasizing the innovative or creative aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "thought to do" in a sentence?

Use "thought to do" to express an intention or consideration in the past. For example, "She "thought to call" her mother, but she forgot" or "He "thought to ask" for help, but decided against it".

What's a more formal alternative to "thought to do"?

Consider using "intended to do" or "contemplated doing" for a more formal tone. For example, "The company "intended to invest" in new technology".

Is "thought of doing" the same as "thought to do"?

"Thought of doing" and "thought to do" are similar, but "thought of doing" emphasizes consideration while "thought to do" emphasizes intention. "I "thought of going" to the party" suggests considering it. "I "thought to go" to the store" suggests intending to go.

What can I say instead of "I never thought to do that"?

Alternatives include "It never occurred to me to do that", "I never considered doing that", or "It didn't cross my mind to do that". Each option conveys a similar sense of surprise or oversight.