is reported to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is reported to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to say that something is known to be true, but there is no definite proof. For example, "It is reported to have been raining all day in Seattle yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mrs Merkel is reported to be wavering.

The Economist

MetroPCS is reported to be — surprise!

The New York Times

The Royal Family is reported to disapprove.

The New Yorker

He is reported to have three wives.

Independent

He is reported to recycle tea bags.

The New Yorker

Filming is reported to begin in March.

The Guardian

Maradona is reported to have said: "Why?

Independent

The result is reported to the user.

University of California, Berkeley

The budget is reported to be $100m.

The Guardian - Film

No fault is reported to date.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Napoleon is reported to have said: Cette vieille Europe m'ennuie.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is reported to" when you want to convey information without taking full responsibility for its accuracy. It's useful in journalism, academic writing, and situations where you need to present information from external sources.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "is reported to" in your writing. While useful for attributing information, overuse can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Vary your sentence structure to maintain a clear and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is reported to" functions as an introductory phrase used to attribute information to a source without explicitly stating the source's name or vouching for the accuracy of the information. This is shown in the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is reported to" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce information attributed to an external source, according to Ludwig. It's frequently used in news, academic, and scientific contexts to convey information neutrally. While overusing passive voice should be avoided, the phrase is valuable for presenting information without explicitly vouching for its accuracy. Alternatives include "is said to" and "is believed to", each with nuanced differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is said to

A general way to indicate that information has been conveyed, without specifying the source.

is rumored to

Indicates that the information is based on rumors and unconfirmed sources.

is believed to

Indicates that there is a general belief that something is true, though not definitively proven.

is alleged to

Suggests that the statement is an allegation that has not been proven.

is understood to

Implies that the information is generally accepted or assumed to be true.

according to reports

Attributes the information to unspecified reports, adding a degree of formality.

is known to

Suggests established knowledge or a well-known fact.

sources say

Indicates that unnamed sources have provided the information.

it is claimed that

Highlights that the information is a claim that may not be universally accepted.

it has been suggested that

Implies that the information is a suggestion or proposition.

FAQs

How can I use "is reported to" in a sentence?

Use "is reported to" to introduce information attributed to an external source without confirming its absolute truth. For example, "The company "is reported to" be considering a merger."

What are some alternatives to "is reported to"?

You can use alternatives like "is said to", "is believed to", or "according to reports" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "is reported to" or a direct statement?

Use "is reported to" when you want to remain neutral or the information is not definitively confirmed. Use a direct statement when you have verified the information and can vouch for its accuracy.

What does it mean when something "is reported to" be true?

When something "is reported to" be true, it means that sources have conveyed this information, but its factual accuracy may not be fully established or verified.