are thought to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"are thought to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something for which the veracity is uncertain, such as a rumor or belief. For example, "The city's ancient ruins are thought to be the remnants of an ancient civilization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hundreds are thought to be trapped.

Independent

Accidents are thought to be hugely underreported.

The New York Times

Another 30 are thought to be injured.

Independent

Some are thought to be Rwandan.

The Economist

They are thought to be predacious.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both men are thought to be Indian.

The Guardian

None are thought to be British.

The Guardian

Fulham are thought to be interested.

The Guardian - Sport

They are thought to be in Britain.

The Guardian

Russians are thought to be, alternately, snobbish and low-rent.

The New Yorker

Worldwide, a few hundred are thought to be in captivity.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are thought to be" when you want to express an opinion or belief that is not definitively proven, but is based on available evidence or general understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "are thought to be" when the information is well-established or supported by strong evidence. In such cases, use more assertive language to reflect the level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are thought to be" functions as a hedging device, indicating that a statement is based on an opinion, belief, or conjecture rather than a definitively proven fact. As seen in Ludwig AI, this phrase introduces an element of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are thought to be" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express beliefs or assumptions that are not definitively proven. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. It's essential to use this phrase when conveying uncertainty, and to avoid it when presenting established facts. Alternatives such as "are believed to be" or "are considered to be" can be used to vary the language while maintaining a similar meaning. Avoiding overstatement and ensuring contextual appropriateness are key to effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are believed to be

Replaces "thought" with "believed", indicating a stronger degree of conviction.

are considered to be

Emphasizes a formal assessment or judgment.

are presumed to be

Suggests an assumption based on probability or evidence.

are understood to be

Indicates a common or accepted understanding.

are rumored to be

Conveys information based on unofficial or unconfirmed reports.

are speculated to be

Highlights that the statement is based on conjecture or guesswork.

are estimated to be

Implies an approximate calculation or assessment.

are deemed to be

Suggests a formal evaluation or official opinion.

are regarded as

Expresses how something is viewed or perceived by others.

are suspected of being

Indicates a cautious and often negative assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "are thought to be" in a sentence?

Use "are thought to be" to express a belief or assumption that isn't definitively proven. For example, "The missing artifacts "are thought to be in the museum"."

What are some alternatives to "are thought to be"?

You can use alternatives like "are believed to be", "are considered to be", or "are presumed to be" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "are thought to be" in formal writing?

Yes, it's appropriate. The phrase conveys a level of uncertainty suitable for academic, news, and business contexts. Just ensure the context requires expressing an assumption rather than a certainty.

What's the difference between "are thought to be" and "are known to be"?

"Are known to be" implies a fact that has been established or proven, whereas "are thought to be" suggests an opinion or belief that may not be definitively proven.