claimed to have

USAGE SUMMARY

"claimed to have" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a statement that someone has made, and the statement may or may not be true. For example, "My classmate claimed to have won the spelling bee last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He claimed to have hit six Americans.

The New York Times

Siphiwe himself claimed to have been robbed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Both claimed to have made progress.

The Economist

Hillary Clinton claimed to have the most, $26m.

The Economist

The pilots claimed to have killed twenty-five.

The New Yorker

Several others claimed to have felt suicidal.

The Guardian

Heisenberg never claimed to have obstructed anything.

The New York Times - Science

Cromitie falsely claimed to have visited Afghanistan.

The Guardian

Duterte claimed to have watched the tape.

The New Yorker

Gavin Long claimed to have answers.

The Guardian

"They claimed to have knocked," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "claimed to have", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is making the claim. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "claimed to have" excessively in passive constructions, as it can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Prefer active voice where possible to convey the information more forcefully.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "claimed to have" functions as a reporting verb phrase, introducing a statement or assertion made by someone. It indicates that the subject has made a claim about a past action or state. As Ludwig AI confirmed, it is used to describe a statement that someone has made, and the statement may or may not be true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "claimed to have" is a versatile reporting verb phrase used to present assertions without necessarily validating their truth. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's used when describing a statement that may or may not be accurate. Its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across diverse sources such as News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science. When using "claimed to have", consider alternatives like "alleged to have" or "asserted to have" depending on the intended nuance. Be mindful of overuse in passive constructions to maintain strong and direct writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stated to have

A more neutral and direct way of reporting a claim, without implying doubt or certainty.

alleged to have

Implies a lesser degree of certainty and often suggests unproven accusations.

asserted to have

Indicates a confident and forceful declaration, potentially with supporting evidence.

purported to have

Suggests the claim is presented as true, but there might be reasons to doubt its veracity.

professed to have

Implies the claim is stated openly and formally, often regarding beliefs or feelings.

maintained to have

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

contended to have

Indicates that the claim is part of an argument or debate, suggesting a contested point.

testified to have

Suggests that the claim was made under oath or in a formal legal setting.

avowed to have

Implies a sincere and emphatic declaration, often regarding loyalty or commitment.

confessed to having

Suggests admitting to something, often something negative or undesirable.

FAQs

How to use "claimed to have" in a sentence?

Use "claimed to have" to report a statement without confirming its accuracy. For example, "The suspect "claimed to have" been out of town the night of the crime."

What can I say instead of "claimed to have"?

You can use alternatives like "alleged to have", "asserted to have", or "stated to have" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "claimed to have" or "claims to have"?

"Claimed to have" is used in the past tense to report a past claim, while "claims to have" is used in the present tense to report a current claim. Choose the form that matches the time frame of the claim.

What's the difference between "claimed to have" and "pretended to have"?

"Claimed to have" indicates a statement of fact that may or may not be true, while "pretended to have" implies a deliberate act of deception.