what were your thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

"What were your thoughts?" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to ask someone what they were thinking about a particular topic or situation. For example: "What were your thoughts on the meeting today?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

What were your thoughts today?

The New York Times

What were your thoughts on that feedback?

The New York Times

What were your thoughts on this contradiction?

The New Yorker

What were your thoughts behind this choice?

The New York Times

If so, what were your thoughts?

The New Yorker

What were your thoughts on the N.B.A. finals?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

What are your thoughts?

The New York Times

And what are your thoughts?

The New York Times

But what are your thoughts?

The Guardian - Tech

What are your thoughts about company culture?

The New York Times

What are your thoughts on that?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what were your thoughts", ensure the context is clear. Specify the subject or event you're asking about to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "What were your thoughts on the new policy?"

Common error

While versatile, "what were your thoughts" can sound informal in certain contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "What is your assessment of…" or "What are your perspectives on…" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what were your thoughts" functions as an interrogative expression used to solicit someone's opinion or perspective on a particular subject or event. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and can be used in written english.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what were your thoughts" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to ask someone about their opinions or feelings regarding a specific topic or event. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its versatility across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, and to a lesser extent, in scientific discussions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is suitable for many situations. However, for formal writing or professional settings, consider more formal alternatives such as "what is your assessment?" to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what did you think

A simpler, more direct way of asking for someone's thoughts.

what's your opinion

Directly asks for an opinion without focusing on a specific past event.

what are your views

Similar to asking for an opinion, but can imply a more considered perspective.

how did you feel about that

Focuses on the emotional response to an event, rather than a reasoned thought.

what's your take on that

Informal way of asking for someone's perspective or understanding of a situation.

what was your reaction

Asks for the initial response or feeling upon experiencing something.

what are your impressions

Seeks a general sense or feeling about something, often after a first encounter.

can you share your perspective

Asks for a viewpoint, especially when the speaker values unique knowledge of the other person.

what's your assessment

Implies a more analytical or evaluative thought process.

how did that strike you

Asks about the impact or impression something made on someone.

FAQs

How can I use "what were your thoughts" in a sentence?

Use "what were your thoughts" to inquire about someone's opinions or feelings regarding a specific topic or event. For example, you might ask, "What were your thoughts on the presentation?" or "What were your thoughts about the proposed changes?". It's a straightforward way to initiate discussion and gather feedback.

What's a more formal way to ask "what were your thoughts"?

In professional settings, consider using phrases like "what is your assessment", "what are your perspectives", or "what is your evaluation" to maintain a higher level of formality.

Is "what were your thoughts" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "what were your thoughts" is generally too informal for academic writing. Opt for more analytical and objective language such as "what is your analysis" or "what is your interpretation".

When is it best to use "what were your thoughts"?

"What were your thoughts" is suitable for casual conversations, meetings where a relaxed atmosphere is desired, or when seeking candid feedback. It's effective in situations where you want to encourage open and honest responses without sounding overly formal.