ものと思っていた
Was under the impression that, (Always) the thought used to think
Structure
［い］Adjective + ものと思っていた
［な］Adjective + な + ものと思っていた
Noun + の + ものと思っていた
Explanation
The grammar point 物と思う is formed by combining the noun 物 ('thing'), the particle と, and the verb 思う ('to think'). It conveys a strong conviction or assumption, often translated as 'to be certain that (A)' or 'to firmly believe that (A)'. This structure uses 物 to treat the speaker's belief not just as a thought, but as a tangible, established fact in their mind.
In its past continuous form, ものと思っていた, this pattern is used to express something the speaker had been assuming was true. It typically translates to 'I was under the impression that (A)' or 'I had assumed that (A)'.
Because もの is a noun, it can be preceded by any word or phrase that is in its attributive form (the form used to modify nouns).
- あれ？このお店、今日は休み？毎日やっているものと思っていたのに…。Huh? This shop is closed today? I was under the impression that it was open every day…
- ごめん、田中さんは辛いものが食べられるものと思っていたよ。Sorry, I had assumed that you could eat spicy food, Tanaka-san.
- 試験は来週だものと思っていたけど、明日だったなんて、どうしよう。I was under the impression that the exam was next week, but it turns out it's tomorrow! What am I going to do?
Since ものと思っていた expresses a past assumption, it is frequently followed by a clause that reveals the actual, contrasting reality, often connected by conjunctions like が or けど.
Examples
てっきり日本の食べ物は全部ヘルシーなものと思っていた。
I was under the impression that all Japanese food was healthy. (But it is not)
試験はもっと難しいものと思っていたけど、意外と簡単だった。
I was under the impression that the test would be more difficult, but it turned out to be surprisingly easy.
彼もパーティーに来るものと思っていたが、結局、現れなかった。
I was under the impression that he would also come to the party, but in the end, he never showed up.
てっきりもう終電は行ってしまったものと思っていた。（が、まだ間に合った）
I was completely convinced that the last train had already left. (But I still made it in time)
この仕事は楽に稼げるものと思っていたが、実際はとても大変だ。
I was under the impression that I could make money easily with this job, but in reality, it's very tough.
このお城は王様のものと思っていたが、今は博物館らしい。
I was under the impression that this castle belonged to a king, but apparently it's a museum now.
自分には絵の才能なんてないものと思っていたが、先生に褒められた。
I always used to think that I didn't have any talent for drawing, but my teacher praised my work.
都会の人はみんな冷たいものと思っていたが、親切な人もたくさんいた。
I was under the impression that everyone in the city was cold, but there were actually a lot of kind people.
辛い料理は食べられないものと思っていましたが、挑戦してみたら美味しかったんです。
I had always thought that I couldn't eat spicy food, but when I gave it a try, it was actually delicious.
子供：「おばけなんていないものと思っていたけど…｡」
おばけ：「ばあ！」
Child: 'I was under the impression that ghosts weren't real, but...'
Ghost: 'Boo!'
約束はちゃんと守るものと思っていたのに、彼はあっさり破った。
I had assumed that he would keep his promise, but he broke it without a second thought.
Ａ：「山田くん、転校するんだって。ずっとここにいるものと思っていたのに。」
Ｂ：「え、本当？ 寂しくなるね。」
A: 'I heard Yamada is transferring schools. I was under the impression that he would be here forever.'
B: 'Wow, really? That's sad.'