we thought that

USAGE SUMMARY

"we thought that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause that explains what two or more people believed about a situation. For example: "We thought that the meeting would be longer than it was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We thought that way.

The Economist

We thought that was important".

The New York Times - Sports

We thought that was reasonable".

The New Yorker

We thought that was normal countryside.

Independent

We thought that was going too far".

The New York Times

"We thought that was positive.

The Guardian

We thought that was unfair.

The Guardian - Sport

We thought that was it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Thus, we thought that FFA may affect CPS.

Diabetes Care

We thought that was quite enough blood for "Downton".

Los Angeles Times

Really, we thought that was so good of him".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we thought that", ensure that the subject "we" is clearly defined and that the context provides clarity on who is included in that group.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear who "we" refers to. If the group is not easily identifiable, specify the group or individuals to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we thought that" functions as a clause introducer, setting the stage for explaining a past belief, opinion, or understanding held by a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. The examples show its versatility in various contexts, from news reports to scientific discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we thought that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a past belief, opinion, or understanding held by a group. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is versatile and can be used in a wide range of contexts. It's crucial to ensure that the context clearly defines who "we" refers to, to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "we believed that" and "we considered that" offer similar meanings, the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. This phrase is most commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we believed that

Replaces "thought" with "believed", suggesting a stronger conviction.

we considered that

Emphasizes the process of thinking and deliberation before forming an opinion.

we were of the opinion that

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing a shared opinion.

it was our understanding that

More formal, indicating a shared comprehension of a situation.

we concluded that

Indicates a thought that was reached after a process of reasoning.

our assumption was that

Highlights that the thought was an assumption, which may or may not be correct.

we had the impression that

Suggests a less concrete or firm belief based on an impression.

we gathered that

Implies that the thought was formed by collecting information.

in our estimation

Puts more emphasis on the subjective evaluation and group opinion.

from our perspective

Focuses on the viewpoint and experiences that formed that thought.

FAQs

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

Use "we thought that" to introduce a clause expressing a shared belief, opinion, or understanding. For example, "We thought that the project would be completed sooner".

What can I say instead of "we thought that"?

You can use alternatives like "we believed that", "we considered that", or "it was our understanding that" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we thought that"?

Yes, "we thought that" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a shared belief or past understanding.

What's the difference between "we thought that" and "we think that"?

"We thought that" refers to a belief held in the past, while "we think that" expresses a current belief or opinion. The tense of the verb is the primary distinction.