I thought you was busy vs I thought you were busy

The correct phrase is 'I thought you were busy.' The verb 'thought' should be followed by 'were' to match the past tense of 'thought.' 'Was' is incorrect in this context.

Last updated: April 08, 2024 • 2422 views

This phrase is incorrect. 'Was' should be replaced with 'were' to match the past tense of 'thought.'

"I thought you was busy"

The correct form is 'I thought you were busy.' Use 'were' after 'thought' to maintain the past tense.

Show examples from the web [+]

I thought you was busy
I thought you was on the hunt for a new job.
I thought you was the mad trapper for sure.
And I thought you was a rebel.
I thought you was trying to give me reasons to live.
I thought you was born ready, Shaka Zulu.
I thought you was a musical people.
I thought you was going back to school, B.
I thought you was home writing that book.
You asked, I thought you was treating.
I thought you was a cook.
And I thought you was the smart one.
But I thought you was workin' on your garbage sculpture.
Nicky, I thought you was laying.
I thought you was a bag of peeling potatoes.
I thought you was trying to find something about for Mrs Levinson.
I thought you was just a bartender.
I thought you was mad at me, George.
I thought you was doin' a Broadway show.
I thought you was out at work at this time.
I thought you was escaping last night.

Alternatives:

I thought you were busy
I thought you were occupied
I thought you had other commitments
I thought you were unavailable
I thought you were engaged

This phrase is correct. 'Were' matches the past tense of 'thought' in this context.

"I thought you were busy"

Use this phrase when expressing that you believed someone was busy in the past. 'Were' is the correct past tense form to use after 'thought.'

Show examples from the web [+]

I thought you were busy, what are you doing?
I thought you were busy
I thought you were busy wrecking the school or whatever.
Mike, seriously, I thought you were busy with that pro Bono.
Maybe I've been avoiding your calls 'cause I thought you were busy with somebody else.
You've been late everyday I thought you were busy writing songs.
I thought you were busy.
I thought you were busy in Ireland studying.
I thought you were busy tonight.

Alternatives:

I thought you were occupied
I thought you had other commitments
I thought you were unavailable
I thought you were engaged
I thought you were preoccupied

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