alleged to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alleged to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to attribute a certain quality to someone, thing, or action, but that quality has not been proven or verified. For example: The theft of the painting was allegedly carried out by a group of professional art thieves.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I have what is alleged to be the solitary glove.

The New Yorker

Many senior judges are alleged to be corrupt.

The Guardian

The letter is alleged to be a suicide note.

The Guardian

Four other persons were alleged to be conspirators but was not made defendants.

Cornell University

Laws as to proceedings where persons are alleged to be insane are made applicable.

Cornell University

Thus, the transactions alleged to be infringing were not transactions involving use of the plaintiff's trademark.

Harvard University

Still, the AOL deal was never alleged to be a huge fraud.

The New York Times

At one point, he snorts a white powder alleged to be cocaine from sex worker's breast.

Independent

It was in elementary schools that parents were occasionally alleged to be culpable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

OTHER WOMENTIONEDIONED Sir Thomas Alleged to Be Under "Evil Influences" -- Counter-Affidavits Are Filed.

The New York Times

Another of the UK businesses alleged to be under investigation is the London-registered Valemont Properties. London-registered Valemont Properties

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "alleged to be" to maintain neutrality and avoid implying guilt or certainty when reporting on unproven claims. This ensures fair and objective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "alleged to be" excessively in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "purported", "reputed", or "claimed" to keep your writing engaging and nuanced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alleged to be" functions as an adjectival phrase. It modifies a noun or noun phrase, indicating that the attributed quality or characteristic is asserted but not yet established as factual. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing numerous examples where "alleged to be" precedes a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alleged to be" is a versatile phrase used to present claims or accusations without asserting their truth. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and science. When writing, use "alleged to be" to maintain neutrality and objectivity and remember to vary your language to avoid overuse. The phrase functions as an adjectival phrase, it serves to report on claims, accusations, or purported facts without explicitly endorsing them as true. It is more frequent in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

purported to be

Indicates something is presented as being true, but its accuracy is uncertain.

ostensibly to be

Suggests an appearance of truth that might be deceptive.

reputed to be

Highlights claims based on widespread belief, not necessarily factual evidence.

professed to be

Emphasizes a declaration or avowal, which may or may not be genuine.

supposed to be

Implies an expectation or conventional understanding, which may or may not reflect reality.

stated to be

Indicates that something is said or declared, without confirming its truth.

understood to be

Highlights a common or assumed understanding, which could be inaccurate.

believed to be

Indicates an acceptance of something as true, based on faith or circumstantial evidence.

reported to be

Indicates information conveyed through a secondary source, with no guarantee of accuracy.

presumed to be

Highlights something that is assumed to be true based on probability or likelihood.

FAQs

How can I use "alleged to be" in a sentence?

Use "alleged to be" to describe something that is claimed but not yet proven. For instance, "The document is "alleged to be" a forgery" means it's claimed to be a forgery, but this hasn't been verified.

What's a good alternative to "alleged to be"?

Alternatives include "purported to be", "reputed to be", or "claimed to be". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "alleged to be"?

It's appropriate when you want to report a claim or accusation without confirming its truth. This is particularly useful in journalism or legal contexts to maintain objectivity.

What is the difference between "alleged to be" and "proven to be"?

"Alleged to be" indicates an unverified claim, while "proven to be" signifies that something has been confirmed as true through evidence or investigation. They represent opposite ends of the certainty spectrum.