be thought of as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be thought of as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is mainly used to express the opinion or perception of someone or something. For example: The elderly are often thought of as being wise and patient.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will be thought of as watershed".

The New York Times - Science

That might now be thought of as "classical" genomics.

The Economist

Their actions can be thought of as simply genetic reflexes.

The Guardian

"She wants to be thought of as serious.

The Guardian - Film

People don't want to be thought of as sentimental.

The Guardian - Books

Volatility used to be thought of as static, Bollinger says.

Forbes

I'll be thought of as weak.

Huffington Post

Conventional: This may also be thought of as Ethnocentric.

Huffington Post

Its negative (−D) can thus be thought of as utility.

Plosone

they should be thought of as long term companions.

WikiHow

"Action shouldn't be thought of as trash.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be thought of as" when you want to express a common perception or general opinion about something. It's particularly useful when the perception isn't necessarily a fact but a widely held belief or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using the active voice "think of as" when the passive voice "be thought of as" is more appropriate to convey a general perception rather than a personal opinion. The active form is better when directly expressing someone's thought or opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be thought of as" functions as a passive construction indicating how something or someone is generally perceived or considered. Ludwig examples show it expressing common beliefs and understandings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be thought of as" is a versatile expression used to convey general perceptions or opinions. It's grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples. While alternatives like "be regarded as" or "be considered as" exist, each carries slightly different nuances. When using "be thought of as", ensure it reflects a widely held belief rather than a personal one, and avoid confusing it with the active voice "think of as". By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively incorporate "be thought of as" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be regarded as

Emphasizes a more formal or official assessment.

be considered as

Focuses on a deliberate act of evaluation or judgment.

be perceived as

Highlights subjective viewpoints and impressions.

be viewed as

Implies observation and interpretation from a specific perspective.

be known as

Indicates widespread recognition or reputation.

be seen as

Similar to "be viewed as" but with a slightly broader scope.

be interpreted as

Stresses the act of assigning meaning or significance.

be classified as

Focuses on categorization and systematic organization.

be deemed as

Suggests a formal judgment or official declaration.

be labeled as

Implies a designation or assigned name, often with potential connotations.

FAQs

How can I use "be thought of as" in a sentence?

Use "be thought of as" to describe how something is generally perceived or considered. For example, "She wants to "be thought of as" a serious actress" indicates her desire to be seen in a particular way.

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

You can use phrases like "be regarded as", "be considered as", or "be perceived as" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "be thought as" instead of "be thought of as"?

No, "be thought as" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""be thought of as"", which includes the preposition "of".

What is the difference between "be thought of as" and "be considered to be"?

"Be thought of as" often implies a general perception, while "be considered to be" suggests a more formal or deliberate evaluation. Both phrases express a judgment, but the former is usually less formal and more widespread.