On the Use of “I Just Thought” Formulations for Modifying One’s Stance Toward a Problematic Action

Abstract

This article identifies a practice that speakers use in everyday conversation to distance themselves from accountable actions. By using the phrase “I just thought” (IJT) in connection with a target action—which may or may not already be “on record”—speakers downgrade their commitment to that action, while nonetheless not abandoning it entirely. IJTs can be produced on behalf of the speaker or an interlocutor. When produced on behalf of an interlocutor, speakers distance themselves from the target action in a way that absolves the other of accountability—e.g., by denying that the other is imposing on them. In this way, IJTs accomplish interactional solidarity, supporting the situated selves of speakers and coparties. All data are in American and British English.