is believed

USAGE SUMMARY

"is believed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express that something is generally accepted as true due to the opinion of the majority. For example: It is believed that the Great Wall of China was built during the Qin Dynasty.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now there is believed to be plenty.

The Economist

That theory is believed by most scientists.

Independent

He is believed to have died immediately.

Independent

The motive is believed to be robbery.

The New York Times

This is believed to be suspended electrostatically.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is believed to be in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

The polls suggest that he is believed.

The Economist

And it is believed, that..

Cornell University

Mr. Awlaki is believed to have survived.

The New York Times

Chocolate is believed to have antioxidant effects.

University of California, Berkeley

Chronic inflammation is believed to promote carcinogenesis.

Gastroenterology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is believed" when you want to convey that a statement isn't a confirmed fact but is generally accepted as true. It's appropriate when citing commonly held opinions or provisional conclusions.

Common error

Avoid using "is believed" excessively, as it can make your writing sound vague and less direct. Whenever possible, rephrase to attribute the belief to a specific source or group to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is believed" functions as a passive construction used to attribute a belief or opinion without explicitly stating who holds that belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is believed" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something is generally accepted as true, even if not definitively proven. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and widely used. It appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. When using this phrase, be mindful of overusing the passive voice and strive for clarity by attributing beliefs to specific sources whenever possible. Consider alternatives like "is thought to be" or "is considered" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is thought to be

Emphasizes a thought process leading to a belief, often used interchangeably.

is considered

Highlights a formal assessment or widespread opinion about something.

is regarded as

Indicates a particular reputation or standing that something holds.

is deemed to be

Suggests a judgment or decision has been made about something's nature.

is presumed to be

Implies something is accepted as true unless proven otherwise.

is understood to be

Focuses on a common understanding or assumption.

is generally accepted that

Highlights widespread agreement on a particular point.

it is the prevailing view that

Indicates the most common or dominant perspective.

it is widely held that

Suggests a belief is common among a large number of people.

the consensus is that

Implies agreement from a group of experts or stakeholders.

FAQs

How can I use "is believed" in a sentence?

Use "is believed" to indicate something accepted as true but not definitively proven. For example, "It "is believed" that exercise improves cognitive function."

What are some alternatives to using "is believed"?

You can use alternatives like "is thought to be", "is considered", or "is regarded as" to express similar meanings.

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

While "is believed" is in the passive voice, consider using the active voice when possible for more direct writing. For example, instead of "It "is believed" by scientists...", try "Scientists believe..."

What's the difference between "is believed" and "is known"?

"Is believed" suggests a degree of uncertainty or general acceptance, while "is known" implies established fact or proven information. Use "is known" only when there is solid evidence.