It is believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It is believed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a commonly held opinion or belief about a particular subject, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "It is believed that regular exercise contributes to better mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is believed that its activity is synergized by polyphenols.

Nanoscale Research Letters

It is believed Boko Haram uses Gwoza as its headquarters.

BBC

It is believed he'll play the villain.

Independent

It is believed to be a precedent.

The New York Times

It is believed she killed herself.

The Guardian

It is believed she hanged herself.

The Guardian

It is believed that co-morbidity monotonically increases with age.

Princeton University

It is believed that this goal has been achieved.

Fluid Phase Equilibria

It is believed to be caused mainly by shadow hiding.

Cornell University

It is believed that these morphologies are also self-accommodated.

Acta Materialia

It is believed that those girls have escaped".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "It is believed", consider whether you can provide evidence or attribute the belief to a specific source to strengthen your statement.

Common error

While "It is believed" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing with an active voice construction (e.g., "Researchers believe...") to make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It is believed" functions as an impersonal passive construction, allowing the writer to express a belief or opinion without specifying the believer. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formally introducing common assumptions, often followed by a 'that' clause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "It is believed" is a very common and grammatically correct construction used to introduce a generally held belief or assumption. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various formal contexts. While highly versatile, it's important to consider whether attributing the belief to a specific source or rephrasing in the active voice might strengthen your writing. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific publications, signifying a neutral and objective tone. Remember that alternatives such as "It is thought" or "It is considered" can provide subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It is thought

Similar in meaning, but slightly less formal.

It is considered

Implies a more formal or official assessment.

It is assumed

Suggests a belief taken for granted without proof.

It is understood

Implies a general agreement or common knowledge.

People think

A more direct and less formal way of expressing a belief.

Many assume

Highlights the widespread nature of the assumption.

The consensus is

Indicates a general agreement among a group.

The prevailing view is

Suggests the most common or dominant opinion.

Evidence suggests

Connects the belief to supporting evidence.

One might surmise

Implies a conclusion based on limited information.

FAQs

How can I use "It is believed" in a sentence?

"It is believed" is typically followed by a "that"-clause, such as, "It is believed that the missing artifact is hidden in the museum's vault."

What are some alternatives to "It is believed"?

You can use alternatives like "It is thought", "It is considered", or "It is assumed" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "It is believed" or a more direct statement?

Using "It is believed" can soften a statement or indicate uncertainty. However, a direct statement (e.g., "Experts believe") is often stronger and more persuasive if you can attribute the belief to a credible source.

What's the difference between "It is believed" and "It is known"?

"It is believed" implies a degree of uncertainty or assumption, while "It is known" suggests that something is a proven fact. Use "It is known" only when you have concrete evidence to support the statement.