was initially thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was initially thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a belief or assumption that was held at the beginning of a situation or before new information emerged. Example: "The theory was initially thought to be accurate until new evidence proved otherwise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The injury was initially thought to be a strain.

The New York Times - Sports

He was initially thought to have been captured by forces loyal to the Assad regime.

The Guardian

The vessel was initially thought to be carrying 40,000 litres.

The Guardian

The deal was initially thought to be on course for completion last month.

The New York Times - Sports

The former Smiths frontman was initially thought to be suffering from a bladder infection.

The Guardian - Music

Because of these effects, relaxin was initially thought to serve only as a pregnancy hormone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was initially thought that a car may have carried the leader away from the scene.

Independent

It was initially thought she had been attacked after going outside to investigate a disturbance.

Independent

KPN has been squeezed for cash for months and was initially thought to be eager to sell.

The New York Times

After the primary on Sept. 12, Ms. Seltzer was initially thought to have won by 39 votes.

The New York Times

It was initially thought Mellan had suffered brain damage, though he got away lightly with only a fractured skull.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was initially thought", ensure you provide context about why that initial thought was later revised or proven incorrect. This adds clarity and informative value to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was initially thought" without clarifying the current understanding or providing a reason for the change in perspective. Failing to do so can leave the reader confused or misinformed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was initially thought" functions as an introductory clause to present a superseded belief or assumption. It sets the stage for contrasting the initial understanding with the current one, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

45%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was initially thought" is a grammatically sound and widely used construction to introduce a belief or assumption that has since been revised or disproven. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic content. To ensure clarity, always provide context about the updated understanding. Alternatives like "was originally believed" or "was first assumed" can be used for nuanced variations, but the core function remains consistent: to highlight a shift in perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was originally believed

Replaces "thought" with "believed", emphasizing a prior held belief.

was first assumed

Substitutes "initially thought" with "first assumed", highlighting the initial assumption.

was formerly considered

Uses "formerly considered" instead of "initially thought", indicating a past assessment.

was previously understood

Replaces "thought" with "understood", focusing on a past understanding.

was at first presumed

Emphasizes the initial presumption rather than a general thought.

was initially posited

Uses "posited" to suggest a formal or scientific proposal that was initially considered.

was initially hypothesized

Specifically used in scientific contexts to indicate an initial hypothesis.

was at the outset conceived

A more formal alternative, using "conceived" to express the initial formation of an idea.

once seemed to be

Shifts the focus to how something appeared in the past, rather than a specific thought.

appeared initially as

Focuses on the initial appearance or impression of something.

FAQs

What does "was initially thought" mean?

The phrase "was initially thought" means that something was believed or assumed at the beginning, but that understanding later changed or was proven incorrect. It indicates a shift in knowledge or perspective.

How can I use "was initially thought" in a sentence?

You can use "was initially thought" to introduce a superseded idea or belief. For example, "The disease "was initially thought" to be a viral infection, but further testing revealed it was bacterial."

What can I say instead of "was initially thought"?

You can use alternatives like "was originally believed", "was first assumed", or "was previously understood" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was initially thought" or "was initially believed"?

Both "was initially thought" and "was initially believed" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Thought" suggests a more general consideration, while "believed" implies a stronger conviction.