he was thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's reputation or the perception others have of them, often in a passive construction. Example: "He was thought to be the best candidate for the job due to his extensive experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was thought to be traveling alone.

The New York Times - Sports

He was thought to be dead.

The Economist

He was thought to have internal injuries.

The New York Times - Sports

(He was thought to be 75).

The New York Times

He was thought of as Superman by his children.

The New York Times

He was thought to have preferred a move to London.

Independent

At first, he was thought to be a scarecrow.

The Economist

But he was thought too dim to have acted alone.

The New York Times - Books

Despite this, he was thought to be untouchable in Nigeria because of his political connections.

The Economist

He was thought to be tired of firing coaches on an almost-seasonal basis.

The New York Times - Sports

(He was thought unlikely to reign long in view of his advanced age).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was thought", ensure the context makes it clear who held that thought or belief. If the source of the thought is important, specify it (e.g., 'He was thought by many to be...').

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the passive voice construction "he was thought". While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Consider active voice alternatives where appropriate to create a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was thought" functions as a passive construction used to express a belief, perception, or opinion held by an unspecified group or individual about a particular subject. Ludwig AI data confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was thought" is a common passive construction used to indicate a perception, belief, or opinion held about an individual. It is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, as verified by Ludwig AI. While versatile, it is important to be mindful of overuse and consider active voice alternatives for more direct communication. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, encyclopedias and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, ensure clarity regarding who held the thought or belief and avoid excessive reliance on the passive voice. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase's versatility in conveying past opinions or assumptions about a person.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was considered

Replaces "thought" with "considered", emphasizing a more deliberate evaluation or judgment.

he was believed

Substitutes "thought" with "believed", indicating a stronger sense of conviction or faith in the perception.

he was regarded as

Uses "regarded as" instead of "thought", suggesting a formal or public perception.

he was deemed

Replaces "thought" with "deemed", implying a formal assessment or judgment, often by an authority.

he was perceived as

Substitutes "thought" with "perceived as", focusing on how someone was viewed or understood by others.

he was reputed to be

Uses "reputed to be" instead of "thought", indicating a widespread but possibly unverified belief about him.

he was rumored to be

Replaces "thought" with "rumored to be", suggesting that the perception is based on unofficial or speculative information.

people assumed he was

Shifts the focus to the assumption made by people, rather than a general thought.

it was the common opinion that he was

Highlights that the thought was a shared view by many people.

he struck others as

Emphasizes the impression he gave to others.

FAQs

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

"He was thought" is typically followed by 'to be' + [adjective/noun/verb]. For example, "He was thought to be the best candidate", "He was thought to have left the country", or "He was thought to be intelligent."

What can I say instead of "he was thought"?

Alternatives include "he was considered", "he was believed", "he was regarded as", or "he was deemed" depending on the context.

Is "he was thought of" grammatically different from "he was thought"?

Yes. "He was thought of" implies a specific manner of thinking or a characteristic attributed to him, whereas "he was thought" simply expresses a general belief or perception about him. The presence of "of" changes the nuance.

What's the difference between "he was thought" and "it was thought"?

"He was thought" refers to a belief or perception about a specific person, while "it was thought" refers to a general idea, plan, or something impersonal. "It was thought" can also imply a lack of a specific subject doing the thinking.