alleged that

USAGE SUMMARY

"alleged that" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a statement was made, but that the veracity of that statement has not been confirmed. For example, "The suspect alleged that he only acted in self-defense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He also alleged that critical evidence had been tampered with.

BBC

Assad and Russia alleged that U.S.-backed rebels were responsible.

Los Angeles Times

Opposition activists alleged that helicopters dropped barrel bombs containing chlorine.

Vice

Workers alleged that complaints resulted in dismissal.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Simon alleged that Strollo had broken N.Y.

The New Yorker

Khadr has alleged that he was tortured.

The New Yorker

Carson and others alleged that the lawyer stole millions.

The New York Times

Then, a book alleged that Clearstream had been laundering money.

The Economist

Lively alleged that there was a "gay agenda" in Uganda.

The New Yorker

Mr Akitani alleged that wholesale fraud was being prepared.

The Economist

The suit alleged that Mr. Zhu's offer was inadequate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "alleged that" when you want to report a statement without endorsing its truthfulness, especially in legal or journalistic contexts.

Common error

Don't use "alleged that" when you intend to present something as a confirmed fact. This phrase explicitly indicates that the information is a claim that has not been proven.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "alleged that" is to act as a reporting verb. It introduces a subordinate clause that contains a statement or accusation, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. The use of "alleged" indicates that the statement is presented as a claim, the truth of which is not yet established.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alleged that" is a reporting verb used to present claims or accusations without confirming their validity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media, science and wiki contexts. When writing, it's best practice to use "alleged that" when you want to report a statement without endorsing its truthfulness and it's better to avoid the phrase as a definitive statement. Alternatives include "claimed that", "asserted that", and "contended that", each with slightly different nuances. Therefore, "alleged that" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in journalism and legal contexts where it's crucial to report claims neutrally.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

claimed that

This alternative is very similar, directly indicating an assertion without proof.

asserted that

This suggests a strong declaration or affirmation of a fact or belief.

contended that

This alternative implies an argument or debate where a specific point is maintained.

maintained that

This phrase indicates a persistent assertion, often against opposition or doubt.

stated that

This is a more neutral way of reporting information, simply indicating a formal declaration.

reported that

This emphasizes the act of conveying information, often through official channels or media.

indicated that

This suggests an indirect or subtle communication of information.

suggested that

This implies a tentative or indirect proposal or idea.

purported that

This indicates the claim is presented as true but might be questionable.

testified that

This specifically refers to a statement made under oath in a legal setting.

FAQs

How do you use "alleged that" in a sentence?

Use "alleged that" to report a claim or accusation without confirming its truth. For example, "The witness "alleged that" the defendant was at the scene of the crime."

What's the difference between ""alleged that"" and "claimed that"?

"Alleged that" often carries a stronger implication of potential falsehood or unproven status, particularly in legal contexts, whereas "claimed that" is a more neutral way of reporting an assertion.

What can I say instead of "alleged that"?

You can use alternatives like "asserted that", "maintained that", or "contended that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "alleged that" in formal writing?

Yes, "alleged that" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in journalism and legal contexts where it's crucial to report claims neutrally without asserting their veracity.