Believed to be around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Believed to be around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing estimates or approximations regarding quantities, ages, or distances, often in contexts where exact figures are unknown. Example: "The ancient artifact is believed to be around 2,000 years old."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was believed to be around 82.

The New York Times - Arts

It's believed to be around £8.5m.

The Guardian - Sport

The offer is believed to be around £25.8m.

Independent

Hundreds of militants are believed to be around Baghdad.

The New York Times

The number of those working without the necessary documentation is believed to be around 20,000.

The Guardian

There are now believed to be around 2,700 pairs across the country.

The Guardian

The death toll, which was expected to climb into the thousands, is now believed to be around 700.

The New York Times

Arsene Wenger is believed to have first refusal on the Spanish midfielder in a deal that is believed to be around £25m.

Independent

The fee for the 23-year-old Romania international is believed to be around £8.5m.

BBC

The number of reoffenders for 2012 is believed to be around 6%, another huge drop below the national average.

BBC

West Bromwich Albion have signed Nigeria striker Brown Ideye for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £10m.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "believed to be around" when you want to convey an approximation or estimate, particularly when the exact figure is unknown or uncertain. It's suitable for describing quantities, ages, or values in various contexts.

Common error

Avoid relying excessively on vague phrases like "believed to be around" without providing any context or justification for the estimate. Always strive to offer additional details or sources to support your approximation, enhancing clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believed to be around" functions as an qualifier, expressing an estimated or approximate value. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in English. It indicates that the information is based on belief or assumption rather than precise measurement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "believed to be around" is a versatile and frequently used expression for conveying approximations or estimates, particularly when precise figures are unavailable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves the purpose of providing a general sense of quantity, age, or value. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's essential to provide context or justification for the estimate, avoiding overuse and vagueness. Alternatives such as "thought to be approximately" or "estimated to be about" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Thought to be approximately

Emphasizes the aspect of thinking or considering something to be close to a certain value.

Estimated to be about

Highlights the estimation process and introduces a sense of approximation.

Considered to be in the vicinity of

Suggests an estimation within a certain range or neighborhood of a value.

Presumed to be roughly

Implies a presumption or educated guess with a margin of error.

Assumed to be in the neighborhood of

Similar to 'vicinity', suggesting a range rather than a precise figure.

Guesstimated to be nearly

Combines 'guess' and 'estimate' to convey a less formal approximation.

Calculated to be close to

Emphasizes a calculation or estimation process that yields an approximate value.

Figured to be in the ballpark of

An idiomatic expression indicating a rough estimate within a reasonable range.

Put at approximately

Focuses on the act of placing or assigning an approximate value.

Ranging around

Indicates a value that varies or fluctuates near a central point.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "believed to be around" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "thought to be approximately", "estimated to be about", or "considered to be in the vicinity of" depending on the context.

Is "believed to be around" formal or informal?

The phrase "believed to be around" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language may be preferred in highly formal or scientific writing.

What's the difference between "believed to be around" and "estimated to be"?

"Believed to be around" implies a general sense of what is thought to be true, whereas "estimated to be" suggests a more calculated or quantified approximation.

When should I use "believed to be around" instead of a precise number?

Use "believed to be around" when the exact value is unknown, uncertain, or when providing a specific number would be misleading due to potential inaccuracies. It's appropriate when conveying an approximate quantity or range.