is not believed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not believed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or uncertainty about a particular belief or assumption regarding a subject. Example: "The artifact is not believed to be from the ancient civilization, according to recent studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The shooting is not believed to be random.

The New York Times

However, that issue is not believed to be under negotiation.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Bush is not believed to be seriously ill.

The New York Times

Rockstar is not believed to be involved in the production.

Independent

Awerkion is not believed to be facing charges involving violence.

The Guardian

The breach is not believed to be terrorism related".

The Guardian

Metro is not believed to be seeking branches.

The Guardian - Money

The woman is not believed to be Witheridge.

The Guardian

Unlike CO conversion however, CO2 conversion is not believed to be a single step conversion.

Catalysis Today

At this early stage the death is not believed to be suspicious".

Independent

"The incident is not believed to be suspicious and the coroner has been informed," he said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not believed to be" when you want to express a degree of uncertainty or skepticism about a piece of information. This phrase conveys that while something might be suggested, there's a lack of concrete evidence or widespread agreement to support it.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive construction "is not believed to be", as it can sometimes weaken the impact of your writing. Consider rephrasing to an active voice construction to convey information in a more direct way. For example, instead of "The claim is not believed to be true", try "Few believe the claim is true".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not believed to be" functions as a hedge, expressing uncertainty or doubt about a statement. As Ludwig AI highlights, it suggests a lack of firm conviction or supporting evidence. It is often used to qualify claims or report information without endorsing it fully.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not believed to be" serves as a hedge to express uncertainty or doubt. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. It's most commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific writing, indicating its neutrality and suitability for formal and informal communication. While versatile, careful consideration of active voice alternatives can enhance writing clarity. Remember to use this phrase when you want to convey that a claim lacks substantial evidence or support, while avoiding a definitive dismissal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not considered to be

Replaces "believed" with "considered", emphasizing a formal assessment rather than a personal belief.

is thought not to be

Rearranges the sentence structure slightly, using "thought" instead of "believed" for a similar meaning.

is presumed not to be

Substitutes "believed" with "presumed", indicating an assumption made based on available evidence.

is not expected to be

Shifts the focus to expectation rather than belief, implying a prediction about the future.

is understood not to be

Replaces "believed" with "understood", suggesting a common understanding or consensus.

is rumored not to be

Implies the statement is based on unofficial information or hearsay.

is not deemed to be

Replaces "believed" with "deemed", indicating a formal judgment or opinion.

is not regarded as

Changes the construction to use "regarded as", focusing on how something is viewed.

is not anticipated to be

Emphasizes a lack of anticipation, suggesting surprise if the statement were true.

is reported not to be

Indicates the statement is based on reports or news, rather than a personal belief.

FAQs

How can I use "is not believed to be" in a sentence?

You can use "is not believed to be" to express doubt or uncertainty about a particular claim or piece of information. For example: "The artifact "is not believed to be" from the ancient civilization, according to recent studies."

What are some alternatives to "is not believed to be"?

You can use alternatives like "is thought not to be", "is presumed not to be", or "is not considered to be" depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "is not believed to be"?

It is appropriate to use "is not believed to be" when you want to convey that a particular statement or idea lacks sufficient evidence or widespread support, but you don't want to dismiss it entirely. It suggests a cautious or skeptical stance.

What's the difference between "is not believed to be" and "is known not to be"?

"Is not believed to be" implies a lack of conviction or evidence, while "is known not to be" suggests established knowledge or certainty that something is false or incorrect.