assumed to be safe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assumed to be safe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is generally accepted or believed to be safe without direct evidence or proof. Example: "The new medication is assumed to be safe based on preliminary studies, but further research is needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

No drug-taking can be assumed to be safe".

The Guardian

The Home Office says that EU countries can be assumed to be safe.

The Guardian

Some assets that were assumed to be safe turned out to be booby-trapped.

The Economist

The Home Office is arguing that EU states can be assumed to be safe and to offer adequate reception conditions.

The Guardian

Instead, the law defines nutritional supplements as food, which is assumed to be safe unless federal regulators can prove otherwise.

The New York Times - Health

We have seen the police enter the site by smashing through a legal plot that was assumed to be safe by elderly residents seeking refuge.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Sally Bramall of Willis, an insurance broker, says that big insurers are no longer assumed to be safest or best, and that clients are prepared to put their eggs in more baskets.How they do this is, however, less clear.

The Economist

Because most bacteriophages have very specific hosts, they are assumed to be safe--both when used to treat infections in humans and to treat food products.

Science Magazine

Thus, waste milk feeding is assumed to be safer in Sweden than in the UK and in most likely other countries as well.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Therefore exercises in which only the subject's trunk or legs are unsupported, and the neutral lordosis of the low back is sustained, are assumed to be safer [ 18, 27].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

After diacetyl (2,3-butanedione) was shown to cause bronchiolitis obliterans in workers who inhaled high levels of this volatile butter flavoring at microwave popcorn processing plants,,, some manufacturers switched to a substitute assumed to be safer.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assumed to be safe", clarify the basis of the assumption. State the evidence or reasoning behind the belief to enhance credibility.

Common error

Avoid treating something "assumed to be safe" as definitively safe. Always acknowledge the possibility of unforeseen risks and maintain vigilance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assumed to be safe" functions primarily as a subject complement, describing a noun or pronoun by ascribing to it the quality of being considered safe, even in the absence of definitive proof. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating this function across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "assumed to be safe" is a common expression used to describe something believed to be without risk, often based on available evidence or general understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a subject complement and serves to communicate a provisional assessment of safety. It's important to remember that this phrase implies a lack of definitive proof, and thus, caution is warranted. While the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in "News & Media" and "Science", it is crucial to clarify the basis for the assumption and to avoid treating it as an absolute guarantee of safety. Alternatives like "considered risk-free" or "deemed to pose no threat" may offer slightly different shades of meaning depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considered risk-free

Replaces "assumed" with "considered" and "safe" with "risk-free", focusing on the absence of risk.

believed to be secure

Substitutes "assumed" with "believed" and "safe" with "secure", highlighting the belief in its security.

presumed to be harmless

Replaces "assumed" with "presumed" and "safe" with "harmless", emphasizing the lack of potential harm.

thought to be protected

Changes "assumed" to "thought" and "safe" to "protected", focusing on the sense of security and protection.

understood to be without danger

Rephrases the whole expression to focus on the understanding that there is no danger.

regarded as non-hazardous

Uses more formal language, replacing "assumed to be safe" with a technical term for lacking hazards.

deemed to pose no threat

Shifts the perspective to focus on the absence of threat rather than inherent safety.

taken as a given to be secure

Emphasizes the unquestioned nature of the security.

commonly accepted as reliable

Focuses on reliability as a component of safety, changing "safe" to "reliable".

conventionally regarded as dependable

Replaces "assumed to be safe" with a more formal and emphatic expression of dependability.

FAQs

How can I use "assumed to be safe" in a sentence?

You can use "assumed to be safe" to describe something that is generally believed to be without risk, such as, "The food additive is "assumed to be safe" based on current research."

What's a formal alternative to "assumed to be safe"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "deemed safe" or "considered risk-free" which provide a more professional tone. For example, you might say, "The procedure has been "deemed safe" by regulatory bodies."

Is it always accurate to say something is "assumed to be safe"?

No, it's important to recognize that "assumed to be safe" implies a lack of definitive proof. It's crucial to acknowledge potential risks and avoid overstating safety, especially in critical contexts.

What's the difference between "assumed to be safe" and "known to be safe"?

"Assumed to be safe" indicates a belief based on available information, while "known to be safe" suggests that safety has been definitively proven through rigorous testing and evidence. Therefore, "known to be safe" carries a stronger connotation of certainty.