whoever thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"whoever thought" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in spoken or informal language, but can also be used in formal writing, depending on the context. Example: Whoever thought running a marathon would be easy clearly hasn't trained properly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Whoever thought that was a good idea should be sacked.

The Guardian

Whoever thought adding rain to an indoor stage show was a good idea probably never had to perform on it.

Huffington Post

Whoever thought it would come to this?

The Guardian - Sport

"Whoever thought this would happen?" Mr. Murphy said.

The New York Times

I'm sure whoever thought of mole poblano was probably criticized because it was not traditional.

The Washington Post

It's like $21, and whoever thought of it should win a Nobel.

The New York Times - Tech

But whoever thought that bookstore giants would pose a threat to libraries?

The New York Times

"You never changed your job, or your house — and whoever thought of going abroad?

The New York Times - Arts

But if Steinbrenner wants to be more like the Rays – and whoever thought we'd hear that?

The New York Times

And whoever thought we'd see the wholesome Jane Wyatt discuss buying birth-control pills for her teenage daughter?

The New York Times - Arts

A publicist muttered to me: "Whoever thought they'd turn out like this to see the big gals".

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whoever thought" to express surprise or disbelief, especially when reflecting on unexpected outcomes or ironies.

Common error

Avoid using "whoever thought" when you intend to inquire about the specific person responsible for an action or idea; instead, use "who thought of" for direct attribution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whoever thought" functions as an idiomatic expression used to convey surprise, disbelief, or irony regarding a particular outcome or situation. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, making it a standard component of English discourse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whoever thought" is a common and grammatically sound phrase primarily used to express surprise, disbelief, or irony about an unexpected event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile, fitting well in general communication and news contexts. While suitable for various settings, it's best to use it sparingly in formal or scientific writing where precision is key. Alternatives like "who would have imagined" or "it is astonishing that" can offer a more formal tone when required. Remember to use "who thought of" when you intend to inquire about the specific person responsible for an action or idea instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who would have imagined

Emphasizes surprise or disbelief about an unexpected outcome.

who could have predicted

Focuses on the lack of foresight regarding a particular event.

who ever considered

Highlights the initial contemplation or thought process regarding something.

who believed

Stresses the presence of prior belief or conviction.

who dreamed

Implies an aspirational or visionary element.

who foresaw

Focuses on the ability to anticipate future events.

it's hard to believe

Highlights the difficulty in accepting something as true.

it's astonishing that

Emphasizes the surprising nature of a fact or event.

against all odds

Highlights the improbability of an event occurring.

contrary to expectations

Indicates a result that deviates from what was anticipated.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "whoever thought" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "who could have predicted", "who would have imagined", or "it is surprising that". These options offer a similar meaning while maintaining a higher level of formality.

Is it correct to use "whoever thought" in academic writing?

While "whoever thought" is grammatically correct, it may sound too informal for academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives such as "it is surprising that" or "it was unexpected that" to maintain an appropriate tone.

What's the difference between "whoever thought" and "who thought of"?

"Whoever thought" expresses surprise or disbelief about an event, while "who thought of" directly asks for the originator of an idea or action. For example: "Whoever thought it would rain today?" versus "Who thought of this idea?"

What are some alternatives to "whoever thought" that still convey surprise?

Alternatives that convey surprise include "who would have guessed", "who could have known", or "it is astonishing that". These options emphasize the unexpected nature of the situation.