has been believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been believed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a belief or opinion that has persisted over time. Example: "It has been believed for centuries that the earth is flat, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The organized Cuban operation that uses the street toughs, Philbin thinks, is much more powerful than has been believed.

The New Yorker

Therefore, it has been believed that the needed information can be accessed on the web conveniently.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Al13 polymer has been believed to be the most active species responsible for coagulation.

Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

Electroencephalographic (EEG) has been believed to be a potential psychophysiological measure of mental workload.

International Journal of Psychophysiology

Multicellular spheroid (MCS) culture has been believed to mimic three-dimensional environments in our body.

Stem Cells and Cancer in Hepatology From the Essentials to Application

Acupressure has been believed to be one of the complementary therapies that could promote psychological wellbeing.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Since the 1980s, ozone has been believed to be the most damaging air pollutant to crops.

Atmospheric Environment

But it has been believed to be a unique human behaviour," says Prof Yao.

BBC

It has been believed that SUMO2/3 form SUMO chains more effectively than SUMO1 (Matic et al., 2008).

Protein & Cell

In fact, it has been believed that the CMP system is mechanically limited at low down pressures[41 43].

Nanoscale Research Letters

It has been believed that the genome of only the fittest bacteria would be left, but that wasn't their finding.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been believed" to introduce a concept or idea that was previously accepted but may now be questioned or superseded by new information. For example: "It has been believed that coffee stunts growth, but recent studies suggest otherwise."

Common error

While "has been believed" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider using active voice to strengthen your sentences. Instead of "The solution has been believed to be simple", try "Researchers believe the solution is simple."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been believed" functions as a reporting verb construction, often used to introduce a widely held belief or assumption. It typically precedes a statement that provides more information about the belief. The Ludwig examples show its frequent use in academic and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

88%

News & Media

8%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been believed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to introduce concepts or ideas that were previously accepted as true. According to Ludwig, it is considered correct in written English and suitable for various contexts, particularly in science and news media. While generally accepted, it is important to be mindful of passive voice overuse and consider using more direct phrasing where appropriate. It works well to introduce information, and set up for a discussion, argument, or explanation, that might support or challenge a specific belief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was once thought

Focuses on a belief that was held at some point in the past, implying it may no longer be current.

it had been thought

Similar to "has been believed" but with a slightly more formal tone and a sense of past contemplation.

it was previously understood

Highlights a former understanding or knowledge, often in academic or formal contexts.

used to be the assumption

Indicates a past assumption, suggesting it's now challenged or outdated.

it was the prevailing view

Emphasizes that the belief was dominant or widespread at a particular time.

historically, it was understood

Focuses on the historical context of the belief and its understanding over time.

was considered

Emphasizes a past consideration or judgment, implying a shift in perspective.

the common assumption was

Highlights that the belief was widely shared or prevalent.

traditionally it was accepted

Highlights the long-standing nature of the belief, rooted in tradition.

people used to think

A more informal way of expressing a past belief held by a general population.

FAQs

How can I use "has been believed" in a sentence?

The phrase "has been believed" introduces an idea or concept that was previously accepted as true. For example, "It has been believed that exercise is essential for good health."

What are some alternatives to "has been believed"?

You can use alternatives such as "was once thought", "it was previously understood", or "used to be the assumption" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "has been believed"?

It's appropriate when discussing a concept or idea that was previously accepted as true but may now be questioned, outdated, or superseded by new information. It's useful for highlighting a shift in understanding.

Is "has been believed" formal or informal?

"Has been believed" is generally considered neutral to formal. It can be used in both academic and general contexts.