って思ってた

I thought (that …), had been wanting to

→ って
phrase Uncommon #16,492
I thought (that …) A casual way to say you previously believed or expected something to be true. って introduces what you thought.
JA: あなた、車の免許持ってるって思ってたよ。
EN: I thought you had a driver’s license.

彼女がいるって思ってたよ。

I thought you had a girlfriend.

私って、お利口さんだって思ってたのに。

I thought I was a good girl.

トムが朝ご飯を作ってくれるって思ってたのに。

I thought Tom was going to make breakfast for me.

いずれ、そうなるだろうなって思ってたよ。

I figured it would happen sooner or later.

トムはまだ家にいるって思ってたよ。

I thought Tom was still at home.

フランス語の勉強、まだやってるって思ってた。

I thought you were still studying French.

メアリーは私のことが大好きって思ってたけどね。

I thought Mary really loved me, though.

彼氏がいるって思ってたよ。

I thought you had a boyfriend.

もう知ってるって思ってた。

I thought you already knew.

あなた、車の免許持ってるって思ってたよ。

I thought you had a driver's license.

今夜は僕来ないって思ってたんでしょ?

You thought I wasn’t coming tonight, didn’t you?

メアリーの絵はどれもトムの買いたいものじゃないって思ってたよ。

I thought none of Mary's paintings were what Tom wanted to buy.

運転免許、持ってるって思ってた。

I thought you had a driver's license.

phrase Rare #45,495
had been wanting to Used to describe a wish or intention you had for some time in the past. Casual form of と思っていた.
JA: ずっと前から乗馬を習いたいって思ってたんだ。
EN: I’d been wanting to learn horseback riding for a long time.

ずっと馬に乗ってみたいって思ってたの。

I've always wanted to try riding a horse.

ずっとやりたいって思ってたの。

I've always wanted to do it.

ずっと前から乗馬を習いたいって思ってたんだ。

I've wanted to learn horseback riding for a long time.