is believed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is believed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a certain statement is widely accepted as true, even though it may not have been proven. For example: "The cause of the accident is believed to be a faulty part in the engine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now there is believed to be plenty.

The Economist

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

That deal is believed to be imminent.

The New York Times - Sports

GhostNet is believed to be Chinese.

MIT Technology Review

McAuley is believed to be his deputy.

The Guardian

It is believed to be a precedent.

The New York Times

"Judicious neglect" is believed to be widespread.

The New York Times

He is believed to be in hiding.

The Guardian

He is believed to be well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is believed to be" when presenting information that is widely accepted but not definitively proven. This adds a layer of nuance and acknowledges potential uncertainty.

Common error

While "is believed to be" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider rephrasing to use active voice where appropriate for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is believed to be" functions as a modal passive construction. It expresses an opinion or assumption that is widely held, but not necessarily proven, as shown by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is believed to be" is a versatile modal passive construction used to express widely held opinions or assumptions without definitive proof. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts. It's particularly frequent in news, scientific, and academic writing. While useful, it is important to avoid overusing passive voice and consider active voice alternatives for more direct writing. Alternatives include phrases like "is thought to be" or "is considered to be". The phrase conveys neutrality, making it a valuable tool for presenting information with a degree of speculation or uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is thought to be

Similar in meaning but emphasizes the act of thinking or considering something to be true.

is understood to be

Emphasizes a general agreement or common knowledge about something.

is considered to be

Focuses on evaluation and judgment, suggesting a more formal assessment.

is presumed to be

Indicates an assumption based on probability or likelihood.

is reported to be

Indicates that information is coming from a specific report or source.

is rumored to be

Highlights the presence of a rumor or unconfirmed information.

is speculated to be

Highlights that the information is based on speculation rather than fact.

is expected to be

Implies an anticipation or prediction about a future event or condition.

is alleged to be

Used when referring to an accusation that has not been proven.

is deemed to be

Suggests a formal judgment or decision made by an authority.

FAQs

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

Use "is believed to be" to indicate a widely held opinion or assumption. For example: "The missing artifact "is believed to be" hidden in the catacombs."

What are some alternatives to "is believed to be"?

You can use alternatives such as "is thought to be", "is considered to be", or "is presumed to be" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

While "is believed to be" is in passive voice, it's grammatically correct. However, using active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct. For example, instead of "The solution "is believed to be" simple", you could say "Experts believe the solution is simple".

What is the difference between "is believed to be" and "is known to be"?

"Is believed to be" suggests a degree of uncertainty or assumption, while "is known to be" implies a higher level of certainty or established fact.