it has been believed

USAGE SUMMARY

"it has been believed" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something has been thought to be true for some time. For example, "It has been believed for centuries that the Earth is round."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Given its inability to bind to BAFFR, it has been believed that APRIL has little (if any) effects on B-cell biology.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

It has been believed that longitudinal cracks mainly arise due to the shear of moving wheels at high temperatures.

Construction and Building Materials

Erroneously, it has been believed that roots grow mainly downwards and hence trenching near a tree is relatively harmless to roots.

Cities

Generally, it has been believed that these particles exist in numbers of the order of thousands per cubic centimetre at the mesopause.

Advances in Space Research

It has been believed that titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube array thin film is one of the best photo-anode candidates for DSSC.

Electrochimica Acta

For decades it has been believed that it costs far more to recruit new users than to cement the loyalty of existing ones.

The Guardian

It has been believed that such injuries are caused by forces transmitted from the helmet's back face deformation (BFD), which result in local deformations of the skull and translation or rotation of the head, leading to brain injuries.

International Journal of Impact Engineering

It has been believed that an effective dust suppressant should produce a low contact angle, and engulf particles rapidly thereby wetting the surface effectively and reducing airborne dust levels.

Minerals Engineering

It has been believed that disclosing the mystery of the crown gall tumour disease in plants might help to understand the mechanisms of oncogenesis in general, and eventually use this knowledge to cure cancer in animals and humans.

Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology

Traditionally, it has been believed that vocal performance by apes has been limited to spontaneous noise expressed, for instance, at shock of seeing a predator or to intimidate a fellow mammal in a fight.

Independent

It has been believed that omega-6s generally increase inflammation, while omega-3s, the fats in fish oil, lower it, and some studies suggest that a high omega-6 intake increases the risk for heart disease.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has been believed", clearly indicate who held the belief, if possible. This provides context and strengthens the statement's credibility. For example, "It has been believed by many scientists that...".

Common error

Avoid using "it has been believed" excessively in your writing. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound passive and less engaging. Consider using active voice constructions when appropriate to create a more direct and impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been believed" functions as an introductory device to present a widely held or previously accepted idea. It sets the stage for a discussion, often implying that this belief is now being challenged or re-evaluated. Ludwig examples support this function across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been believed" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a notion or concept that was previously considered true or widely accepted. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its presence is very common across different contexts like science and news, with the phrase carrying a neutral to formal register. Employing it effectively involves using the phrase to set up a contrast with newer findings or perspectives. While it’s a reliable phrase, writers should be mindful of overuse and passive voice to maintain an engaging writing style. Overall, the phrase is a valuable tool for presenting information and building arguments in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been thought

Replaces "believed" with "thought", suggesting a less formal or certain level of acceptance.

it has been assumed

Emphasizes a presumption or starting point taken without concrete evidence.

it was previously believed

Highlights that the belief is no longer current, implying a change in understanding.

it was once believed

Similar to "previously believed", but can suggest the belief was held further in the past.

people used to think

Shifts the focus to the general public's perception, using more informal language.

the conventional wisdom held

Indicates a widely accepted, traditional viewpoint.

the prevailing view was

Highlights the widespread perspective at a particular time.

it has been understood

Suggests a state of comprehension or knowledge, rather than simply belief.

it has been perceived

Emphasizes a sensory or subjective interpretation.

it has been inferred

Suggests a conclusion drawn from evidence or reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "it has been believed" in a sentence?

Use "it has been believed" to introduce a widely held but potentially outdated or challenged viewpoint. For example, "It has been believed that exercise is always beneficial, but recent studies show excessive exercise can be harmful."

What are some alternatives to "it has been believed"?

You can use alternatives like "it has been thought", "it has been assumed", or "people used to think" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it has been believed" formal or informal?

"It has been believed" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for academic, news, and professional contexts.

What's the difference between "it has been believed" and "it is believed"?

"It has been believed" suggests a belief held over a period, potentially in the past, while "it is believed" refers to a current belief. The former implies a possible change in perspective over time.