claimed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "claimed to be" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's assertion about a certain issue. For example, "The defendant claimed to be innocent of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Pretty soon they claimed to be 100.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sexual abuse is claimed to be rife.

Independent

Who ever claimed to be a Johnsonite?

The New Yorker

Another 12 claimed to be doing fine.

The Economist

He always claimed to be innocent.

The Economist

No one claimed to be her equal.

The New York Times

One couple claimed to be married.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Both sides claimed to be in control.

Los Angeles Times

One claimed to be owed $10,000.

Vice

Mr Shah claimed to be a prophet".

The Guardian

He had claimed to be a moderate Islamist himself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "alleged to be" or "asserted to be" for stylistic variation and to convey subtle differences in meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "claimed to be" excessively in passive constructions. Instead, rephrase the sentence to emphasize the claimant and their action, resulting in a more direct and engaging statement. For instance, instead of "It was claimed to be safe", write "Experts claimed it was safe."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "claimed to be" functions as a reporting verb construction, used to indicate that someone has stated something as a fact, often with an implication of uncertainty or potential dispute. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "claimed to be" is a versatile phrase used to report assertions, often implying uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is most frequently found in news and media, with neutral register. When using "claimed to be", consider the context and potential implications of doubt. Related phrases like "alleged to be" or "asserted to be" may offer more precise connotations. Remember to vary sentence structure and avoid passive voice overuse to maintain a clear and engaging writing style. Finally, remember that "claimed to be" implies that what is being referenced is not verified, and could be an incorrect statement. Overall, it's a very common expression found in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alleged to be

Emphasizes an assertion without proof, often used in legal or journalistic contexts.

asserted to be

Highlights a confident and forceful declaration, regardless of supporting evidence.

professed to be

Implies a declaration of belief or feeling, which may or may not be genuine.

purported to be

Suggests that something is presented as being a certain way, but doubts may exist.

represented as

Focuses on how something is portrayed or presented to others.

maintained to be

Indicates a consistent and persistent assertion, even in the face of opposition.

avowed to be

Suggests an open and frank admission or declaration.

pretended to be

Implies a false or deceptive claim about one's identity or status.

professed oneself to be

A more formal way of saying someone declared themselves to be something.

allege

A concise form, often used when introducing disputed claims.

FAQs

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

Use "claimed to be" to report someone's assertion, often when the truth is uncertain or disputed. For example, "The company "claimed to be" carbon neutral, but investigations revealed otherwise."

What phrases can I use instead of "claimed to be"?

Alternatives include "alleged to be", "asserted to be", "professed to be", or "purported to be". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "claimed to be" in formal writing?

While "claimed to be" is generally acceptable, consider stronger verbs like "asserted" or "maintained" in formal contexts to convey a more definitive tone. However, remember that "claimed" often implies a degree of doubt or skepticism.

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

"Claimed to be" is a general assertion, while "alleged to be" typically refers to accusations of wrongdoing that have not been proven. Therefore, "alleged to be" is more commonly used in legal or journalistic contexts involving accusations.