believed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "believed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts when you want to express that something is likely to be true, even though there is no absolute certainty. For example: "The mysterious creature was believed to be extinct for many years until it was recently discovered in the Amazon jungle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

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

He was believed to be 102.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "believed to be" when you want to convey that information is based on common opinion or available evidence, but lacks definitive proof. For example, "The missing artifact is believed to be hidden somewhere in the ancient ruins".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "believed to be" in formal or academic writing. Instead, strive for more precise language and cite your sources directly. For example, instead of "The effect is believed to be caused by X", consider "Research indicates that X causes the effect (Source: Journal of Science, 2024)".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believed to be" functions as a passive construction used to express an opinion, assumption, or widely held belief that lacks definitive proof. This can be seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, where it attributes characteristics or states to subjects without asserting absolute certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "believed to be" is a versatile phrase used to express assumptions or widely held beliefs without absolute certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, especially in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. While common, it's essential to avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain a sense of authority. Consider alternatives like "thought to be" or "presumed to be" for nuanced expression. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively use "believed to be" in your writing to convey information with the appropriate level of confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thought to be

Replaces "believed" with "thought", indicating a similar level of supposition.

presumed to be

Suggests an assumption based on available evidence, slightly more formal than "believed to be".

considered to be

Indicates a judgment or opinion held by a group of people.

understood to be

Implies a common knowledge or agreement about something.

reported to be

Indicates that information comes from a specific source.

alleged to be

Suggests that something is claimed but not yet proven.

rumored to be

Implies that information is circulating informally and may not be reliable.

deemed to be

More formal, suggesting a judgment made by an authority.

estimated to be

Focuses on a numerical approximation.

suspected to be

Indicates a belief based on limited evidence, often in a negative context.

FAQs

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

Use "believed to be" to express an opinion or assumption that is generally accepted but not definitively proven. For example, "The painting is "believed to be" a lost masterpiece".

What are some alternatives to "believed to be"?

Alternatives include "thought to be", "presumed to be", "considered to be", or "understood to be" depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "believed to be" in formal writing?

While acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your statements sound less authoritative. Consider using stronger verbs or citing direct evidence when possible.

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

"Believed to be" indicates a general opinion or assumption, whereas "alleged to be" implies an unproven claim, often in a legal or contentious context.