It was different than I thought. vs It was different than I had thought.

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'It was different than I thought' is more commonly used in informal speech to express a general surprise or realization. 'It was different than I had thought' is used when referring to a specific past moment or expectation.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 910 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in informal speech to express a general surprise or realization.

"It was different than I thought."

This phrase is used to express a general surprise or realization about something that was not as expected.

Examples:

The movie was different than I thought.
The taste of the food was different than I thought.
The outcome of the game was different than I thought.

Show examples from the web [+]

- He's different than I thought.
But it looks much different than I thought.
Well, sometimes when I get mad I find out it's about something different than what I thought.
- Go to a different thought.
I had a completely different thought.
I had a slightly different thought.
You'll find reality to be quite a bit different than you thought.
He's a little different from what I thought.
Now, a completely different thought.
I realized all the people are different and we all have different thoughts.
I thought Travis was different than the other guys.
Now, a completely different thought. I'm always imagining myself in different situations. I'm imagining myself as a machine.
Sometimes, it's just for a different one than you thought.
You're different than I thought you'd be.
She's completely different than I thought she was.
You're so different than I thought you were.
Having a real dog's a lot different than I thought it would be.
I meant, he's different than I thought he would be.
I got to tell you, this is going a lot different than I thought it would.
Dear Evelyn... it's different than I thought it would be here.

Alternatives:

it was different from what I thought.
it was not what I thought.
it was not as I thought.
it was different from my expectations.
it was different from what I had in mind.

This phrase is correct and is used when referring to a specific past moment or expectation.

"It was different than I had thought."

This phrase is used when referring to a specific past moment or expectation that was not as expected.

Examples:

The outcome was different than I had thought.
The result was different than I had thought.
The experience was different than I had thought.

Show examples from the web [+]

- He's different than I thought.
But it looks much different than I thought.
I had a completely different thought.
I had a slightly different thought.
- Go to a different thought.
You'll find reality to be quite a bit different than you thought.
Now, a completely different thought.
I realized all the people are different and we all have different thoughts.
Well, sometimes when I get mad I find out it's about something different than what I thought.
Now, a completely different thought. I'm always imagining myself in different situations. I'm imagining myself as a machine.
He's a little different from what I thought.
Sometimes, it's just for a different one than you thought.
Then there is some deeper acquaintance than I had thought.
Look, I just realized that my feelings for Kristin are a little bit more complicated than I had thought.
I've been feeling lately I'm maybe more resilient than I had thought.
Ra I'm, you are much more amazing than I had thought.
Although she is a lot more fun than I had thought.
I hope that he will confirm this, because otherwise the value of the programme is less than I had thought.
I thought Travis was different than the other guys.
You must put your mind on different thoughts, captain.

Alternatives:

it was different from what I had thought.
it was not as I had thought.
it was different from my expectations at that time.
it was different from my previous understanding.
it was different from my initial impression.

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It was different than I thought. vs It was different than I had thought.