he was believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was believed" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that the person in question was believed or trusted by others. Example: Despite his past mistakes, John was believed by his colleagues and was given a second chance to prove himself.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was believed to be 102.

The New York Times

He was believed to be 80.

The Washington Post

He was believed to have been 95.

The Washington Post

He was believed to be about 60.

The New York Times - Arts

He was believed to live in Jerusalem.

The New York Times

He was believed to have been sectioned.

The Guardian

He was believed to be around 100 years old.

The New York Times

He was believed to have had a congenital cardiac abnormality.

The New York Times - Sports

He was believed to have died in transit.

The Guardian

He was believed to be at least 70.

The New York Times

Although accounts varied, he was believed to be 82.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was believed", ensure that the context clearly indicates who held the belief. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "he was believed" without specifying who held the belief, as this can lead to confusion. Instead of saying, "He was believed," specify, "He was believed by his colleagues" or "He was believed by the public."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he was believed" is to act as a passive voice construction. It indicates that the subject (he) was the recipient of the belief, rather than the actor initiating it. Ludwig AI, confirming this through numerous examples, demonstrates its use in conveying perceptions or assumptions about an individual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was believed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that indicates a widespread belief or assumption about an individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction appears most commonly in news and media, serving to report perceptions or accepted truths. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding the source of the belief is essential to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "he was thought to be" or "he was considered to be" offer subtle shifts in meaning, emphasizing different aspects of the belief. Overall, "he was believed" is a versatile and valuable tool for conveying information about public opinion and perceptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was thought to be

This alternative emphasizes the act of thinking or considering someone to be a certain way.

he was considered to be

This suggests a more formal or deliberate evaluation of the person.

he was regarded as

This phrase highlights the general opinion or view of the person by others.

it was believed of him

This alternative uses a slightly different structure to express the general belief about the person.

he was presumed to be

This implies an assumption of something to be true based on available evidence.

he was understood to be

This suggests a common understanding or interpretation of the person's character or actions.

he was assumed to be

Similar to 'presumed', this highlights an acceptance of something as true without concrete proof.

people believed him to be

This alternative more directly attributes the belief to a group of people.

the belief was that he was

This restructures the sentence to emphasize the belief itself.

it was his reputation that

This alternative implies the person's reputation led to such opinion.

FAQs

How can I use "he was believed" in a sentence?

You can use "he was believed" to indicate that someone was thought to be trustworthy or to have a particular quality. For instance, "he was believed to be innocent" suggests that people thought he did not commit the crime.

What's a good alternative to "he was believed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "he was thought to be", "he was considered to be", or "he was regarded as", each carrying slightly different nuances of perception or judgment.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "he was believed"?

The passive voice ("he was believed") emphasizes the person being believed, while the active voice (e.g., "people believed him") emphasizes the believers. Choose the voice that best suits your intended focus.

Which is correct, "he was believed" or "he is believed"?

"He was believed" indicates a past belief, while "he is believed" indicates a present belief. The choice depends on whether the belief is ongoing or concluded.