is thought to

USAGE SUMMARY

'is thought to' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express uncertainty about something. For example, "It is thought to be the work of a local artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Saltwater is thought to be the culprit.

The New York Times

Capitalism itself is thought to be toxic.

The Economist

He is thought to have visited Rome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She is thought to have committed suicide.

Independent

The FSA is thought to be reluctant.

The Economist

"Tamarama" is thought to mean "thunder".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

ValueAct is thought to back this strategy.

The Guardian - Business

He is thought to have been suffocated.

The Guardian

The story is thought to be untrue.

The Guardian - Music

Daily washing is thought to be unnecessary.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Typically, hybridization is thought to retard adaptation.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is thought to" when presenting information that is not definitively proven or widely accepted, allowing you to convey a degree of uncertainty or speculation.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "is thought to", as it can make your writing sound vague or less direct. Consider rephrasing with active voice where appropriate to strengthen your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is thought to" functions as a hedge, softening a claim and indicating a degree of uncertainty. As evidenced by Ludwig, it introduces an idea as a belief or speculation rather than an established fact. Its function it's to introduce a claim without asserting it with certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is thought to" is a versatile phrase used to express beliefs or opinions without asserting them as definitive truths. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly found across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. It allows writers to hedge claims and convey a degree of uncertainty. When using this phrase, it's essential to consider the context and avoid overusing passive constructions. Alternatives like "is believed to be" or "is considered to be" can provide subtle variations in meaning, as well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is believed to be

Emphasis on belief rather than a more tentative thought.

is considered to be

Highlights a formal assessment or general opinion.

is presumed to be

Suggests an assumption based on some evidence, but not proven.

is regarded as

Indicates a specific viewpoint or reputation.

is deemed to be

Formal and often used in legal or official contexts.

is understood to be

Implies a general understanding or consensus.

is rumored to be

Suggests the information is based on unofficial sources or gossip.

is speculated to be

Highlights that it's a theory with no supporting evidence.

is estimated to be

Focuses on a calculated approximation.

is purported to be

Indicates that something is claimed but might be false.

FAQs

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

"Is thought to" is used to express an opinion or belief that is not necessarily a proven fact. For example, "The missing artifact "is thought to be" hidden somewhere in the city."

What are some alternatives to "is thought to"?

You can use phrases like "is believed to be", "is considered to be", or "is presumed to be" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "is thought to"?

Use "is thought to" when you want to express an opinion or a common belief without presenting it as an established fact. It's useful when evidence is incomplete or when attributing an idea to a group rather than a specific source.

What's the difference between "is thought to" and "is known to"?

"Is thought to" indicates a belief or opinion, while "is known to" suggests that something has been proven or is widely accepted as fact. The latter implies a higher degree of certainty.