is supposed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is supposed by" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect in many contexts.
It could be used when discussing beliefs or expectations attributed to someone or something, but it is more typical to use "is supposed to" instead. Example: "The theory is supposed by many to explain the phenomenon."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The French tricolor is supposed by some people to have originated in the Provencal fishing village of Martingues.

The New Yorker

It is supposed, by those who know about saints, that there were two Saint Valentines who share a day.

The Guardian

THE Great Galactic Ghoul is a mythical space monster that is supposed by some rocket scientists to protect Mars from prying space probes.

The Economist

Either way, the new policy points toward new complications in a trans-Pacific business relationship that is supposed by many to be Hollywood's future.

The New York Times

Created as part of the debt-ceiling agreement, this "super-committee" is supposed by November 23rd to propose ways to cut the federal budget deficit by $1.5 trillion over the next ten years.

The Economist

The Australian aborigine is probably the father of us all; he is supposed by some people to be the nearest thing to the missing link, and thus the most primitive human being in existence.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But it was supposed by the pious to be a sacrifice for the greater good.

The New Yorker

He said he was supposed by his enemies to have died many times.

The Economist

Non-Jews were supposed by Mendelssohn to owe allegiance to the natural moral law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At times, she has looked like the President-in-waiting that she was supposed by many to be: smart, knowledgeable, persuasive.

The New Yorker

It has long been supposed by many that the Netherlands invented what is called "total football," in which everybody moves, everybody improvises, everybody is interchangeable on the field.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is supposed by", consider whether a more direct and active construction would improve clarity and flow. For example, instead of "This is supposed by many", try "Many believe this".

Common error

Avoid using "is supposed by" excessively, as it can lead to wordy and indirect sentences. Opt for stronger verbs and active voice constructions whenever possible to make your writing more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is supposed by" functions primarily as a passive construction used to attribute a belief, expectation, or assumption to a specific group or individual. It highlights the source of the supposition. This aligns with examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is supposed by" serves to attribute beliefs or expectations to a specific source. While grammatically acceptable, as noted by Ludwig AI, it can sometimes sound awkward. Consider using alternatives such as "is believed by" or restructuring the sentence for better clarity. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Scientific contexts, demonstrating a neutral to formal register. When clarity and conciseness are paramount, opting for more direct and active constructions is often preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is believed by

Emphasizes a belief held by a group.

is thought by

Focuses on a thought or opinion held by someone.

is considered by

Highlights a formal assessment or judgment.

is deemed by

Implies a more official or authoritative decision.

is reputed by

Suggests a common but possibly unverified claim.

is rumored by

Indicates an informal and potentially unreliable piece of information.

is alleged by

Used when something is claimed but not yet proven.

people suppose

Shifts the focus to the people doing the supposing, rather than the thing being supposed.

it is presupposed by

Emphasizes an underlying assumption.

it is assumed by

Focuses on an assumption that has been made.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is supposed by" to sound more natural?

Consider using alternatives like "is believed by", "is thought by", or "is considered by" depending on the context. These alternatives often provide a more direct and clearer expression.

What's the difference between "is supposed by" and "is supposed to"?

"Is supposed to" indicates an expectation or obligation, while "is supposed by" attributes a belief or expectation to a specific group. For example, "The meeting "is supposed to" start at 10 AM" versus "This theory "is supposed by" many scientists".

When is it appropriate to use "is supposed by" in writing?

"Is supposed by" is appropriate when you want to explicitly state who holds a particular belief or expectation. However, ensure the phrasing doesn't sound awkward; often, active voice constructions are preferable.

Are there more concise alternatives to "is supposed by" that I can use?

Yes, depending on the intended meaning, you can use phrases like "is believed by", "is thought by", or simply restructure the sentence to use an active voice, such as "Many believe that..."