was to think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was to think" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing a past intention or expectation related to thinking or contemplation. Example: "His main goal was to think critically about the issues at hand before making a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

To bide time was to think.

The New Yorker

The approach was to think inside out.

The New York Times

"My first impulse was to think of the mainland.

The New York Times

Myhrvold's mission was to think about the future.

The New Yorker

Of course, my first reaction was to think: Marie Antoinette.

The New York Times

The first step was to think up a memorable name.

The New Yorker

Another concern was to think of what the University does in its research and teaching.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Your task is to think about WHY.

University of California, Berkeley

The key here is to think fundability.

Science Magazine

The tendency is to think nothing works".

Los Angeles Times

It is to think big.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was to think", ensure the context clearly indicates a past intention, plan, or expectation related to thinking. For example, "The initial strategy "was to think" long-term, but circumstances changed."

Common error

Avoid using "was to think" when referring to present or future actions. Instead, use "is to think" or "will be to think" respectively, to maintain accurate tense consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was to think" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating a past intention, plan, or expectation regarding a thought process. As shown by Ludwig, it clarifies what someone intended to do in terms of thinking, planning or contemplating.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was to think" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a past intention, plan, or expectation relating to thinking. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage across diverse contexts. While grammatically straightforward, careful attention to tense and subject-verb agreement is crucial. Use it to clearly communicate past intentions, strategies, or planned thought processes, keeping in mind its suitability for both formal and informal writing. Alternatives such as "intended to consider" or "meant to contemplate" may be used for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to consider

Focuses on the original intention or plan for considering something.

meant to contemplate

Emphasizes a designed or expected act of contemplation.

supposed to reflect

Highlights an obligation or expectation to engage in reflection.

should have considered

Indicates a missed opportunity or a recommendation for past consideration.

had to ponder

Suggests a necessity or requirement for deep thought.

needed to deliberate

Focuses on the need for careful and thorough discussion or consideration.

reacted by considering

Emphasizes the action of considering as a response to a stimulus.

responded by reflecting

Highlights reflection as a way of reacting to a situation.

approached by contemplating

Focuses on using contemplation as a method or strategy.

chose to contemplate

Emphasizes a conscious decision to engage in contemplation.

FAQs

How can I use "was to think" in a sentence?

Use "was to think" to describe a past intention, plan, or reaction involving thought. For example, "Her first reaction "was to think" of a solution." or "The plan "was to think" strategically before acting".

What phrases are similar to "was to think"?

Alternatives include "intended to consider", "meant to contemplate", or "supposed to reflect", each subtly altering the nuance of the original phrase.

Is it correct to say "were to think" instead of "was to think"?

"Were to think" is used with plural subjects, while "was to think" is used with singular subjects. For example, "They were to think" implies a group's intended thought process, while "He "was to think"" refers to an individual's.

What's the difference between "was to think" and "had to think"?

"Was to think" suggests a planned or intended action, while "had to think" implies a necessity or obligation. One speaks about the intended action while the other about the necessary one.