has been supposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been supposed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is believed or assumed to be true, often in a passive construction. Example: "The theory has been supposed to explain the phenomenon for decades, but new evidence suggests otherwise."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fodor concludes that these considerations are far less decisive than has been supposed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cathode degradation has been supposed to be due to temperature gradient non-uniformity.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

This subject was the basis of an idea that has been supposed E. platyloba as an antifungal agent.

Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease

It has been supposed, for example, that God is outside time and so does not, strictly speaking, know anything beforehand.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The team from University College London say that the cause is the opposite of what has been supposed.

The Guardian

Also, projected range shifts including realistic dispersal scenarios were compared with classical models, in which no or full dispersal has been supposed.

Ecological Informatics

How unreasonable indeed it had been for the public to "accuse Massa Greeley of writing for the newspaper which he has been supposed to control.

The New York Times

Since 1994, the agency has been supposed to come up with a plan to reduce the number of whales that are accidentally killed.

The Economist

The road system in Roman Africa was the most complete of any western province; a total of some 12,500 miles (20,000 km) has been supposed.

Britannica

This character has been supposed to indicate marsupial affinities, but the rest of the osteology, as far as known, does not favour this view.

Nature

In [11], has been supposed to have a zero.

Advances in Difference Equations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been supposed" to introduce a viewpoint or assumption, especially when the source of that viewpoint is general or not explicitly stated. This is useful for setting up a discussion or presenting a common belief before offering a counterargument or further analysis.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "has been supposed", as it can make your writing sound vague or indirect. In many cases, a more active voice can create stronger and more direct sentences. For example, instead of "It has been supposed that...", consider "Researchers have supposed that..." or "Many believe that...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been supposed" functions as a passive voice construction used to introduce a widely held belief, theory, or assumption. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase typically presents an idea that is generally accepted but may be subject to further scrutiny or debate. It often sets the stage for presenting alternative viewpoints or new evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

Academia

24%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been supposed" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a widely held belief or assumption. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently found in academic, scientific, and news contexts, reflecting its utility in formal and neutral settings. While "has been supposed" is a useful tool for setting up a discussion or presenting a common understanding, remember to avoid overusing passive voice and consider more direct alternatives when appropriate. Its prevalence in authoritative sources reinforces its reliability and broad applicability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been assumed

Replaces 'supposed' with 'assumed', indicating a belief taken for granted without proof.

has been believed

Substitutes 'supposed' with 'believed', emphasizing a conviction based on faith or evidence.

has been thought

Replaces 'supposed' with 'thought', suggesting a consideration or opinion held by someone.

was presumed

Uses 'presumed' to indicate something taken as true until proven otherwise, shifting the tense to past.

was conjectured

Replaces 'supposed' with 'conjectured', indicating a conclusion or opinion based on incomplete information.

was hypothesized

Employs 'hypothesized' to suggest a tentative explanation used as a basis for further investigation.

was theorized

Uses 'theorized' indicating that something is part of a scientific theory, shifting from supposition to formal reasoning.

has been posited

Replaces 'supposed' with 'posited', suggesting an assertion put forward as a basis for argument.

has been speculated

Substitutes 'supposed' with 'speculated', indicating a conjecture or assumption about something without firm evidence.

has been understood

Replaces 'supposed' with 'understood', suggesting a common knowledge or perception that something is true.

FAQs

What does "has been supposed" mean?

The phrase "has been supposed" means that something is believed or assumed to be true, often without concrete evidence. It indicates a common understanding or a prevailing theory.

When is it appropriate to use "has been supposed" in writing?

Use "has been supposed" when you want to introduce a widely held belief or assumption, especially when you want to present alternative perspectives or challenge the existing viewpoint. It's suitable for academic, scientific, and neutral contexts.

What are some alternatives to "has been supposed"?

Alternatives include "has been assumed", "has been believed", "has been thought", or "was presumed" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "has been supposed" formal or informal?

"Has been supposed" is generally considered neutral to formal. It's suitable for academic and professional writing but can also appear in news and media. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding context than the phrase itself.