he is thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"he is thought" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to express the idea that someone is believed or regarded in a certain way by others. Example: "He is thought to be a great leader by his colleagues." This sentence means that others perceive him as a great leader, even though it may not be a fact. Another example: "She is thought to be kind and generous by everyone who knows her." This sentence means that people have a positive perception of her character.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is thought to have visited Rome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is thought unlikely to veto it.

The Guardian

He is thought to have been suffocated.

The Guardian

He is thought not to have left Iran since 1989.

The Economist

Maybe he is thought of as being older.

The New York Times - Sports

He is thought to be fabulously wealthy and corrupt.

The New Yorker

He is thought to have been possibly aged under 18.

The Guardian

He is thought still to be in the US.

The Guardian

He is thought to have made £1.2m from his memoirs.

The Guardian

He is thought to have executed 200-400 "witches".

The Guardian

He is thought to be dead by everybody.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is thought", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the thinking or believing to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "he is thought" without providing context or source of the belief. Instead of saying "He is thought to be rich", specify who believes this, like "He is thought to be rich by his neighbors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is thought" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone is the recipient of a thought or belief held by others. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct way to express an opinion or assessment without stating it as a definite fact. Examples show it’s used to describe someone's reputation, location, or likely actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is thought" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a belief or opinion about someone without stating it as a definitive fact. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. Its usage is widespread in news media and encyclopedic sources, making it suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to provide sufficient context to clarify who holds the belief. While alternatives like "he is considered" or "he is believed" exist, "he is thought" offers a balance of formality and neutrality, making it a versatile choice for expressing beliefs or assessments. The phrase is commonly used in news reports, academic articles, and general discourse to convey information that may not be definitively proven but is widely accepted or speculated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is considered

Focuses on a more formal assessment or judgment.

he is believed

Highlights a general acceptance or conviction about someone.

he is regarded as

Highlights how someone is viewed or respected.

it is presumed he is

Suggests an assumption based on available evidence.

he is understood to be

Emphasizes a shared understanding or agreement.

people think he is

Indicates a common opinion or perception.

he is deemed to be

Suggests a formal judgment or evaluation.

he is rumored to be

Implies that the belief is based on unconfirmed reports.

he is known as

Indicates public knowledge or recognition.

he appears to be

Focuses on outward appearance or impression.

FAQs

How can I use "he is thought" in a sentence?

Use "he is thought" when you want to convey that someone is believed or considered to be something, but without stating it as a definite fact. For example, "He is thought to be the best candidate for the job".

What phrases are similar to "he is thought"?

You can use alternatives like "he is considered", "he is believed", or "he is regarded as" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "he is thought" or "it is thought"?

The choice depends on the context. "He is thought" focuses on the person, while "it is thought" is more impersonal and emphasizes the general belief. For example, "He is thought to be a genius" versus "It is thought that he is a genius".

What's the difference between "he is thought" and "he is known"?

"He is thought" suggests a belief or opinion that may not be universally accepted, while "he is known" implies a widely recognized fact or characteristic. You may use "he is thought" but that doesn't mean that "he is known".