believed to

USAGE SUMMARY

'believed to' is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express a supposition or estimation of something based on circumstantial evidence. Example sentence: The plant is believed to have originated in Africa.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The attackers are believed to be jihadists.

The Economist

Believed to be approx. 35,000 yers.

The New Yorker

Now there is believed to be plenty.

The Economist

Both are believed to be abandoned pets.

The New York Times

He is believed to have died immediately.

Independent

The motive is believed to be robbery.

The New York Times

He was generally believed to be 54.

The New York Times

This is believed to be suspended electrostatically.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is believed to be in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

She was believed to be 97.

The New York Times

It was believed to be about 41.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "believed to", ensure the source of the belief is clear, either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context. This enhances credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "believed to" when you have concrete evidence or verifiable facts. In such cases, a more direct statement is appropriate. Don't weaken your statement with "believed to" if you can confidently assert something as fact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believed to" functions as a reporting verb indicating attribution of a belief or opinion. It is commonly used to convey information that is considered likely or probable, without absolute certainty, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "believed to" is a versatile and commonly used expression for conveying information that is deemed probable but lacks conclusive evidence. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and prevalent use across various domains, particularly in news and media. While offering a neutral tone, it's essential to use "believed to" appropriately, avoiding its use when definitive facts are available, and ensuring clarity about the source of the belief. Alternatives like "thought to be" or "presumed to be" can be considered based on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thought to be

Replaces "believed" with "thought", emphasizing a mental process of considering something likely.

considered to be

Uses "considered" to suggest a more formal or deliberate assessment.

presumed to be

Implies something is taken as true based on probability, even without definitive proof.

understood to be

Suggests a common, shared understanding or assumption.

deemed to be

Indicates a formal judgment or assessment.

reputed to be

Highlights that the information is based on hearsay or general reputation.

alleged to be

Used when something is claimed but not yet proven.

suspected to be

Indicates a belief based on limited evidence, often implying potential wrongdoing.

rumored to be

Emphasizes that the information is based on unverified rumors.

estimated to be

Focuses on a numerical approximation or calculation.

FAQs

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

"Believed to" is typically used to express an assumption or estimation that something is true based on available evidence. For example, "The suspect is "believed to be armed"".

What's the difference between "believed to be" and "thought to be"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "thought to be" suggests a more personal consideration, while "believed to be" often indicates a wider acceptance or consensus.

When should I use "alleged to be" instead of "believed to be"?

Use "alleged to be" when reporting something that is claimed but not yet proven, particularly in legal or controversial contexts. "Believed to be" is more neutral and implies a general acceptance.

What are some alternatives to using "believed to" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, you might consider phrases like "it is presumed that", "it is considered that", or "evidence suggests that" for a more authoritative tone.