believed not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "believed not to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a belief or assumption about something that is not considered to be true or valid. Example: "The results of the experiment were believed not to be reliable due to the lack of proper controls."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is believed not to have informed Mr. Bush, either.

The New York Times

If the formulas were not followed, the art was believed not to fulfill its transcendent function.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mutations were focused on amino acid positions that were believed not to be critical for the protein's structure or function.

Biochimie

About 5,300 are believed not to have made it back.

The New York Times

But a meeting with federal investigators -- something Rodriguez is believed not to have had -- comes with more stringent parameters.

The New York Times

Thousands of other Cuban exiles, who officials believed not to be criminals, were placed in military bases around the country.

The New York Times

Moreover, also classical demisters show very little efficiency for these small aerosol sizes and are therefore believed not to be suitable for the removal of aerosols.

International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control

The incident is now believed not to have involved a drone, the aviation minister Robert Goodwill said last week.

The Guardian

It was once thought that lakes evolved from states of oligotrophy to eutrophy, but this is now generally believed not to be the case.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even tissues once believed not to change much after childhood, and thus not to need the renewing ministrations of stem cells, are yielding them.

The Economist

Putin's officials have sometimes expressed scepticism on climate change, and the Russian president is believed not to place a high priority on the issue.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "believed not to", ensure clarity by specifying who holds the belief, especially in formal writing. Providing context strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "believed not to" in very informal contexts where simpler phrases like "don't think" or "not likely" would be more appropriate. The phrase can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believed not to" functions as a hedge or qualifier, softening a statement by indicating a lack of complete certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses a belief that something is untrue or invalid.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "believed not to" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a lack of certainty or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears frequently in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While acceptable, remember that less formal alternatives like "thought not to" or "not expected to" may be more suitable for casual settings. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who holds the belief to enhance the statement's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not thought to

Replaces "believed" with "thought", maintaining a similar level of certainty but with a slightly less formal tone.

not considered to

Substitutes "believed" with "considered", emphasizing a more deliberate evaluation or judgment.

presumed not to

Uses "presumed" instead of "believed", implying a conclusion based on limited evidence or probability.

assumed not to

Replaces "believed" with "assumed", suggesting a belief taken for granted without proof.

not expected to

Focuses on the lack of anticipation rather than a concrete belief, implying a deviation from what was anticipated.

not anticipated to

Similar to "not expected to", but with a slightly more formal tone and emphasis on prior expectation.

thought unlikely to

Conveys a sense of low probability rather than a firm belief, emphasizing the improbability of something.

deemed not to

Employs "deemed" as a more formal substitute for "believed", suggesting an official or authoritative judgment.

held not to

Uses "held" to convey a formal holding or opinion regarding something to not be true or existent.

not imagined to

Suggests that a particular outcome or situation was not within the realm of possibility or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "believed not to" in a sentence?

Use "believed not to" to express a lack of certainty or expectation about something, as in "The data was "believed not to" be reliable".

What's a simpler way to say "believed not to"?

Consider alternatives like "thought not to", "considered not to", or simply "not expected to" for a less formal tone. These options offer similar meanings with fewer words.

Which is correct, "believed not to" or "not believed to"?

"Believed not to" is a valid construction, though "not believed to" might sound more natural to some speakers. Both can be used depending on the desired emphasis.

What is the difference between "believed not to" and "assumed not to"?

"Believed not to" suggests a considered opinion, while "assumed not to" implies taking something for granted without proof. Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of certainty involved.