was thought of as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was thought of as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a perception or belief about a person or thing. For example, "He was thought of as a brave leader by his peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Until recently, Linux was thought of as too difficult for the average user.

The Guardian - Tech

Once, not long ago, a wine cellar was thought of as a rack under the basement stairs.

The New York Times

I was thought of as smart, thanks to my teachers' constant announcements, but my lack of cuteness prevailed over all.

Huffington Post

"For years it was thought of as really a movie town and people didn't read," Atwood said of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Times

He was thought of as Superman by his children.

The New York Times

One was thought of as the Night Mayor.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

It will be thought of as watershed".

The New York Times - Science

Here the spatial dimension d should be thought of as large.

Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics

These had been thought of as risk-free.

The Economist

That might now be thought of as "classical" genomics.

The Economist

Their actions can be thought of as simply genetic reflexes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was thought of as" to convey a past perception or opinion that may no longer be current or universally accepted. This distinguishes it from stating a present truth.

Common error

Avoid using "was thought of as" when describing something that is still currently considered to be true or accurate. Use present tense verbs in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was thought of as" functions as a linking verb phrase introducing a description or characterization. It connects a subject with a past perception or assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was thought of as" is a versatile phrase used to describe past perceptions or beliefs. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts. It's particularly prevalent in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, it is important to ensure that you are accurately representing a past perception, and not implying that it is necessarily still true. Consider related phrases like "was considered to be" or "was regarded as" to fine-tune the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was considered to be

Focuses on the act of considering someone or something to be a certain way.

was regarded as

Emphasizes the perspective or opinion held about someone or something.

was viewed as

Highlights the act of seeing or perceiving someone or something in a particular way.

was known as

Indicates a common name or identifier that someone or something had.

was deemed to be

Implies a formal judgment or assessment of someone or something.

was believed to be

Stresses a conviction or acceptance of something as true, even without proof.

was understood as

Focuses on the interpretation or comprehension of something.

was perceived as

Highlights the sensory or intuitive understanding of someone or something.

was characterized as

Emphasizes the key attributes or features used to describe someone or something.

was represented as

Focuses on how someone or something was portrayed or depicted.

FAQs

How can I use "was thought of as" in a sentence?

"Was thought of as" is used to describe a past perception or belief. For example, "He "was thought of as" an eccentric artist in his youth, but later became a celebrated figure".

What phrases are similar to "was thought of as"?

Similar phrases include "was considered to be", "was regarded as", and "was viewed as". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is thought of as" instead of "was thought of as"?

Yes, "is thought of as" is the present tense form. Use "is thought of as" when describing a current perception, and "was thought of as" when describing a past one.

What's the difference between "was thought of as" and "is now considered"?

"Was thought of as" describes a former perception. "Is now considered" indicates a shift in perception. For example, "He "was thought of as" shy, but is now considered a confident speaker".