what we thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what we thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing opinions, beliefs, or conclusions that were held by a group or individuals in the past. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, we realized that what we thought about the situation was incorrect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"That's what we thought".

The New York Times

Yeah, that's what we thought.

The New York Times - Sports

Eisenberg "That's what we thought".

Independent

At least that's what we thought.

The Guardian - Music

"That's what we thought, yeah".

The Guardian - Music

Right, that's what we thought.

The New York Times

That's not what we thought.

The New York Times - Magazine

They're what we thought they were.

The Guardian - Sport

And death was not what we thought".

The Guardian - Books

This isn't what we thought it was.

The Guardian - Sport

Well, this is what we thought.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what we thought" to contrast a past understanding with a current one, highlighting a change in perspective due to new information or experience.

Common error

Avoid using "what we thought" when referring to present beliefs. This phrase indicates a past understanding, not a current one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what we thought" functions as a noun clause, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a previously held belief, opinion, or understanding, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what we thought" is a noun clause that effectively communicates a past belief or understanding, often in contrast with present knowledge. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you're referring to a genuine shift in understanding. Consider alternatives like "our previous understanding" or "our initial impression" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our then understanding

Highlights the understanding at a specific time in the past.

what we used to believe

Expresses a past belief that is no longer held.

our previous understanding

Highlights a prior state of knowledge that has since changed.

our original belief

Emphasizes a conviction held in the past.

our former opinion

Highlights a viewpoint held at a prior time.

our initial impression

Focuses on the first feeling or idea one had.

the view we once held

Focuses on a particular perspective that was maintained in the past.

our earlier assumption

Stresses that the thought was taken for granted without proof.

the perception we had

Focuses on how something was viewed or understood.

our past consideration

Highlights the act of thinking about something previously.

FAQs

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

Use "what we thought" to describe a past belief or understanding, often in contrast to a current perspective. For instance, "What we thought was a simple solution turned out to be quite complex."

What's a formal alternative to "what we thought"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "our previous understanding" or "our initial assessment" instead of "what we thought".

Is "what we thought" always about something that turned out to be wrong?

Not necessarily. "What we thought" can refer to any past belief, whether it was later proven incorrect or simply evolved with new information.

How does "what we thought" differ from "what we believe"?

"What we thought" refers to a past belief, while "what we believe" refers to a present conviction. The former is retrospective, the latter is current.