be suspected of

USAGE SUMMARY

'be suspected of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use it when you want to express that someone is potentially guilty or at least believed to be guilty of some kind of misdeed. For example, "The suspect is suspected of stealing from the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He called for detainees to be treated like human beings, and his reward was to be suspected of siding with terrorists.

Vice

Anyone could be suspected of being a spy," he explains.

The Guardian - Travel

It was the fourth pain medicine in recent months to be suspected of increasing heart risks.

The New York Times

It was the fourth pain medicine to be suspected of causing heart risks.

The New York Times

Generating a surveillance order doesn't require that the target be suspected of doing anything illegal.

The New York Times

And it is likely that other companies will be suspected of similar behavior.

The New York Times

A woman with literary leanings would be suspected of witchcraft or harlotry and be locked away for it.

The Guardian - Books

But this is hardly a topic on which Merkel can be suspected of ignorance, or carelessly sensational assessments.

The Guardian - Opinion

During the Middle Ages and the early modern period, anyone advocating vegetarianism might be suspected of belief in pagan metempsychosis.

The New Yorker

We shall not, therefore, be suspected of forming, upon any of his acts, an opinion more severe than they deserve.

The Guardian

Even to be suspected of letting it slide into senescence is a political danger too frightening to contemplate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be suspected of" to indicate a lack of conclusive evidence. This phrase accurately conveys that someone is under scrutiny without asserting guilt.

Common error

Avoid using "be suspected of" interchangeably with phrases that imply guilt or conviction. The phrase denotes investigation, not established fact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be suspected of" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone is the object of suspicion. As Ludwig AI suggests, it conveys that someone is potentially guilty or believed to be guilty of a misdeed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

23%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be suspected of" serves as a crucial linguistic tool for conveying suspicion without asserting guilt. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. With a neutral register, it appears frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki" sources, indicating its versatility across various contexts. It's essential to distinguish "be suspected of" from stronger terms implying guilt, as this phrase denotes an ongoing investigation rather than a conclusion. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its application in diverse scenarios, reinforcing its significance in precise and unbiased communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be accused of

Shifts from suspicion to a formal accusation, implying a more concrete charge.

be under suspicion for

Focuses on the state of being suspected, rather than the act of suspecting.

be a suspect in

Identifies someone as a suspect in a particular situation or event.

fall under suspicion of

Emphasizes the process of becoming suspected.

be thought to be guilty of

Specifies the assumption of guilt, adding a layer of presumed culpability.

be rumored to have

Suggests that the information is based on rumors or gossip and not necessarily facts.

be believed to be involved in

Implies involvement without directly stating suspicion of a specific crime.

be linked to

Indicates a connection to something, which may or may not imply suspicion.

have allegations of

Focuses on the existence of allegations without necessarily confirming suspicion.

face accusations of

Highlights the confrontation with accusations, rather than the underlying suspicion.

FAQs

How to use "be suspected of" in a sentence?

Use "be suspected of" to indicate that someone is believed to have committed a misdeed, but this has not been proven. For example, "The individual is "suspected of" fraud".

What can I say instead of "be suspected of"?

You can use alternatives like "be accused of", "be under suspicion", or "be a suspect" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be suspected of" or "be accused for"?

"Be suspected of" is the correct phrase. "Accused for" is grammatically incorrect; the correct usage is "be accused of".

What's the difference between "be suspected of" and "be investigated for"?

"Be suspected of" implies a belief that someone may have committed a crime or misdeed. "Be investigated for" indicates that a formal inquiry is underway to determine the truth.