what I thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"what I thought" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a sentence as a subordinate clause to express someone's opinion or perception on a situation or idea. Here is an example: "He did not agree with what I thought, but I stood by my decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That's what I thought.

The New York Times

"That's what I thought before.

The New York Times - Sports

Y.W.: That's what I thought.

The New Yorker

Anyway, that's what I thought.

The New Yorker

That's what I thought of".

The New York Times

So what, I thought.

The Guardian - Books

"And that's what I thought too.

The New York Times

"That's what I thought," Roxanne said.

The New Yorker

"At least, that's what I thought".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

'With what?' I thought.

The Guardian

That is what I thought".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear that you are referring to a past thought and not a present one. Use appropriate tense and time markers to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "what I thought" when you actually mean "what I think". Make sure the verb tense aligns with the intended timeline to prevent misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what I thought" functions as a nominal relative clause, acting as a noun within a sentence. It typically introduces a statement expressing a past belief, opinion, or understanding. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what I thought" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase functioning as a nominal relative clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to express a past belief, opinion, or understanding and is versatile across various contexts, from formal to informal. While most prevalent in news and media, it maintains a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by aligning verb tenses to avoid confusion between past and present thoughts. To diversify your writing, consider related phrases like "my initial perception" or "the opinion I held". By following these guidelines, you can effectively integrate "what I thought" into your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my understanding at the time

Highlights the understanding possessed during a specific period.

how I perceived it

Focuses on the manner in which something was understood or viewed.

my point of view then

Emphasizes a specific perspective from a past moment.

my past belief

Specifically refers to a belief held at some point in the past.

the opinion I held

Emphasizes the holding of a specific belief or viewpoint.

my original perception

Highlights the initial understanding or interpretation of something.

the conclusion I drew

Focuses on the result of reasoning or inference.

my initial thought process

Focuses on the process of thinking rather than the content of the thought.

my previous assumption

Implies a thought accepted as true without proof.

what was on my mind

Refers to the thoughts occupying one's attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "what I thought" to introduce a past opinion or belief. For example, "I later realized that /s/what+I+thought wasn't accurate based on new information."

What's a more formal way to express "what I thought"?

In a formal context, you could use phrases like "my initial assessment", "the opinion I previously held", or "my understanding at the time".

What can I say instead of "what I thought" if I want to emphasize uncertainty?

If you want to express uncertainty, consider using phrases like "what I assumed", "what I believed at the time, though I wasn't sure", or "my initial impression, which may have been incorrect".

Is it always necessary to clarify that it's "what I thought" and not what I currently think?

Clarity depends on the context. If there's a potential for confusion, explicitly stating that you're referring to a past thought will improve understanding. Otherwise, it may be clear implicitly.