we thought so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we thought so" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express agreement or confirmation of a previous belief or assumption. Example: "When she said she would win the race, we thought so." Alternative expressions include "we believed so" and "we assumed so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

GÖRING (grim): We thought so, too.

The New Yorker

They said, "We thought so".

The New York Times

"We thought so," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

"We thought, So then what?

The New Yorker

We thought, So far so good.

The New Yorker

"We thought so, until somebody got their name into the paper," Mr. Brooks said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

We think so much alike".

The New Yorker

A. We think so.

The New York Times

Yes, we think so.

The Guardian

We think so, anyway.

The Guardian - Film

"We think so," she replied, smiling.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we thought so" to succinctly express agreement or confirmation when a previous assumption proves correct. This phrase works well in both formal and informal contexts, providing a concise way to validate shared understandings.

Common error

While "we thought so" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated expressions like "it was our understanding" or "we anticipated this" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we thought so" functions as a concise affirmation or agreement. It implies a prior belief or expectation that has been validated. Ludwig examples show its use to confirm assumptions about events, people's behavior, or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we thought so" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express agreement or confirmation of a prior belief or expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s commonly found in news and media but can be overly informal for academic writing. Alternatives include "we believed so" or "we assumed so". Avoid overusing this phrase in formal contexts to maintain a professional tone. Use it to succinctly express agreement in varied contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we believed so

Emphasizes belief over a simple thought, suggesting a stronger conviction.

we assumed so

Focuses on the assumption aspect, indicating something was taken for granted.

we expected that

Highlights anticipation, implying the outcome wasn't surprising.

that's what we thought

Reiterates the thought process, providing a sense of validation.

we figured as much

Uses a more casual tone, suggesting an informal understanding.

we had a feeling

Indicates an intuitive sense, lacking concrete evidence.

it was our understanding

Formal expression indicating the phrase meaning as an interpretation.

we anticipated this

Focuses on anticipation of a specific event or situation.

we foresaw it

Indicates foresight, suggesting a prediction came true.

we knew it all along

Highlights prior knowledge, conveying a sense of certainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "we thought so" to express agreement or confirmation when something turns out as expected. For example, "When she said she would win, "we thought so"."

What are some alternatives to "we thought so"?

Alternatives include "we believed so", "we assumed so", or "we expected that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "we think so" or "we thought so" more appropriate?

The choice depends on the timing. Use "we think so" to express a current opinion or belief. Use "we thought so" to refer to a past belief that has been confirmed or proven correct.

In what situations is it best to avoid using "we thought so"?

Avoid using "we thought so" in highly formal or academic contexts where a more sophisticated or detailed explanation might be more appropriate. A phrase like "It was our understanding that..." can provide a more professional tone.