believed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "believed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular belief or opinion is held by someone or a group of people. Example: "The theory was widely believed by scientists in the early 20th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost all are believed, by believers, to be contact points between the natural and supernatural worlds.

The New York Times - Arts

That theory is believed by most scientists.

Independent

Neither was believed by the court.

The New York Times - Sports

& believed by most scholars to be a hoax.

The New Yorker

Nothing was ever done, or believed, by halves.

The Guardian

But of course that sort of story couldn't be believed by realists.

The New Yorker

Vitaminas: The term for milkshakes, which apparently are believed by Brazilians to have lots of vitamins.

The New York Times

He was believed by some to be a candidate for chancellor.

The New York Times

It is believed by Vincos that much of this sum has been obtained dishonestly".

Independent

What interested me is that these stories are believed by North Koreans.

The New Yorker

It was believed by some that Smuts was trying to break up the empire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "believed by", ensure the subject clearly identifies who holds the belief to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "It is believed", specify "It is believed by scientists".

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions with "believed by". While grammatically correct, excessive passive voice can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Consider active alternatives where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believed by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, typically in the passive voice. It indicates who holds a particular belief or opinion. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "believed by" is a grammatically sound and widely used prepositional phrase that serves to attribute a belief or opinion to a specific source. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides ample examples across diverse fields such as news, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse of the passive voice and ensure clarity regarding who holds the belief. Alternatives like "held by" or "considered by" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, "believed by" is a reliable tool for expressing attribution in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held by

Focuses on the act of holding a belief rather than the process of believing.

considered by

Emphasizes a more thoughtful and deliberate evaluation leading to a belief.

regarded by

Similar to considered, but can also imply a certain level of respect or esteem.

accepted by

Highlights the agreement or consensus of a group on a particular belief.

thought of by

A more informal way to express that someone has a particular opinion or belief.

deemed by

Implies a formal judgment or assessment leading to a belief.

presumed by

Suggests a belief based on probability or likelihood, rather than concrete evidence.

understood by

Emphasizes comprehension and acceptance of a concept.

taken as

Indicates that something is interpreted or understood in a particular way.

viewed by

Highlights a specific perspective or way of seeing something.

FAQs

How can I use "believed by" in a sentence?

Use "believed by" to indicate who holds a particular belief or opinion. For example, "The theory is "believed by most scientists"".

What are some alternatives to "believed by"?

Alternatives include "held by", "considered by", or "regarded by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "believed by" or a more active construction?

While "believed by" is grammatically correct, using an active construction can often make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "It is believed by many", you could say "Many believe it".

What's the difference between "believed by" and "thought of by"?

"Believed by" suggests a stronger conviction or acceptance of something as true, while "thought of by" implies a more casual or tentative opinion.