thought we could

USAGE SUMMARY

'thought we could' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a previous idea that you or someone else proposed. For example, "I thought we could go to the beach today, but it looks like it's going to rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No one thought we could do it.

The New York Times

We did everything we thought we could".

The New York Times

… I thought we could outdo them.

The New York Times

"We thought we could really do it.

The New York Times

Jesus!' because we thought we could die".

The New York Times

We thought we could win this game.

The Guardian - Sport

"I thought we could go tomorrow afternoon".

The New Yorker

"We thought we could win.

The New York Times

We thought we could cope.

The Guardian - Money

"We thought we could cruise.

The New York Times - Sports

I thought we could have centers.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thought we could", consider adding a clarifying phrase to indicate the outcome or result of the action. For example: "We thought we could win, but we were ultimately defeated."

Common error

Avoid using "thought we could" to express present capabilities or possibilities. This phrase is strictly for past perceptions. For present scenarios, use "think we can" or "believe we can" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought we could" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a past belief or assumption about a capability or possibility. It's often used to introduce an action that was considered achievable at a certain point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thought we could" is a versatile phrase used to express a past belief about a capability or possibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in written English. While it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of communication styles. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates that you are referring to a past assessment, and consider adding clarifying information about the outcome. Remember to avoid using it when discussing current or future abilities; instead, opt for "think we can" or "believe we can".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believed we were able to

Replaces "thought" with "believed" and "could" with "were able to", emphasizing the confidence in ability.

had the idea that we could

Emphasizes the origin of the thought as an idea, maintaining the possibility conveyed by "could".

felt we might be able to

Replaces "thought" with "felt" and adds "might be" before "able to", indicating a less certain possibility.

assumed we had the capacity to

Substitutes "thought" with "assumed" and uses "had the capacity to" instead of "could", highlighting a presumed capability.

it seemed to us that we could

Introduces a sense of perception, indicating that the possibility was based on appearances.

considered it possible for us to

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and descriptive expression of possibility.

we anticipated being able to

Focuses on anticipation rather than a simple thought, expressing a degree of expectation for the ability.

imagined we were in a position to

Uses "imagined" instead of "thought" and "were in a position to" for "could", suggesting a hypothetical scenario.

we were under the impression that we could

Suggests a belief based on incomplete information or a misunderstanding, while retaining the sense of possibility.

we dared to hope we could

Adds a layer of optimism and risk-taking, suggesting the possibility was something desired but uncertain.

FAQs

How can I use "thought we could" in a sentence?

Use "thought we could" to express a past belief or assumption about something you or others were capable of doing. For example, "We "thought we could" finish the project on time, but unforeseen circumstances delayed us".

What's a good alternative to "thought we could"?

Consider using alternatives like "believed we were able to" or "assumed we had the capacity to" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

Is "thought we could" grammatically correct?

Yes, "thought we could" is grammatically correct when used to express a past belief or assessment of ability or possibility.

When is it inappropriate to use "thought we could"?

Avoid using "thought we could" when referring to present or future abilities or possibilities. Use "think we can" or "believe we can" instead.