what I assumed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase ‘what I assumed’ is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to express your opinion of what you thought about a situation. For example, “I was surprised to find out that the meeting had been postponed, which was not what I assumed.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"That's what I assumed".

The New York Times

This is different from what I assumed.

The New York Times

At least this is what I assumed.

The New York Times - Magazine

That's pretty much what I assumed.

The Guardian - Sport

Which is what I assumed acting was," Thompson says.

The New Yorker

A male newscaster's voice blared, speaking Somali, delivering what I assumed was news of the war.

The New York Times - Magazine

And at his side, he held what I assumed was an Uzi.

The New York Times - Travel

"The first thing I heard was what I assumed was a gunshot," he said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Anything and everything you say, they could be privy — that's what I assume," he said.

The New York Times

"Maybe that's what I assume everyone's doing when I'm not there.

The Guardian - Film

I inhale the atomised confection of what I assume is an expensive cologne.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what I assumed" to clearly indicate that a statement reflects your prior understanding, especially when contrasting it with new information or a changed perspective.

Common error

Avoid presenting "what I assumed" as an established fact. Always frame it as a belief you held previously, and be prepared to acknowledge any discrepancies with reality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what I assumed" functions as a nominal relative clause, acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It introduces a belief or expectation held by the speaker, often contrasting it with current reality. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what I assumed" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to introduce a prior belief or expectation. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and prevalent use, particularly within news and media sources. While versatile across registers, it's crucial to use it accurately, distinguishing assumptions from established facts. Related phrases like "what I presumed" or "what I had thought" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the context. Always be mindful of whether the statement needs correction or contrast to avoid misleading the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what I presumed

Replaces "assumed" with "presumed", suggesting a slightly stronger degree of confidence in the initial belief.

what I had thought

Uses "had thought" to emphasize the past nature of the assumption and potential contrast with current knowledge.

what I initially believed

Adds "initially" to highlight that the belief was held at the beginning of a situation.

what I had expected

Substitutes "assumed" with "expected", focusing on anticipation rather than a firm belief.

the thing I took for granted

Emphasizes that the assumption was made without conscious thought or questioning.

my prior belief

Offers a more concise and formal way to express the initial assumption.

as I understood it

Shifts the focus to understanding, implying the assumption was based on incomplete information.

what was my understanding

Rephrases the sentence to focus on a prior comprehension, rather than an active assumption.

what I figured

Presents a more informal and conversational alternative to "what I assumed".

what I gathered

Suggests that the assumption was based on collecting information rather than a preconceived notion.

FAQs

How can I use "what I assumed" in a sentence?

You can use "what I assumed" to introduce a past belief, often followed by a contrast or correction. For example, "What I assumed to be a simple task turned out to be much more complex."

What's a more formal alternative to "what I assumed"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "what I presumed" or "my prior belief".

Is it always necessary to correct or contrast "what I assumed"?

No, sometimes it's used to explain a past action or decision based on then-current knowledge. However, make it clear it was an assumption, not a proven fact.

Which is correct, "what I assumed" or "that I assumed"?

Both can be grammatically correct but have different meanings. "What I assumed" refers to the content of the assumption, while "that I assumed" indicates the assumption as a whole clause or statement. Use "what I assumed" when talking about information, and "that I assumed" when talking about the entire action of assuming.