it is thought to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is thought to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you want to express an idea, opinion, or belief that is not necessarily proven to be the truth. For example: "It is thought to be true that ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphs as an alphabetical system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Its purpose is unknown, though it is thought to be the site of maypole dancing.

Wikipedia

It is thought to be the first of its kind at a business school.

The Economist

In terms of rarity, it is thought to be priceless.

The New York Times - Arts

It is thought to be valued at £1.3bn.

The Guardian - Business

It is thought to be one of the first books to include aquatints.

Princeton University

It is thought to be a significant cause of nephropathy in kidney transplant recipients.

Stanford University

In Connecticut it is thought to be an introduced species, found only in the Connecticut River.

Yale University

It is thought to be contaminated with evil — and maybe syphilis.

The New York Times

It is thought to be inadvisable to spend more than two hours contemplating its pellucid waters.

The Economist

It is thought to be the physical counterpart of the autobiographical self, or ego.

The New Yorker

Today it is thought to be the most widely studied animal after humans.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is thought to be" when you want to introduce an idea or possibility that is not definitively proven. It's useful for presenting hypotheses, theories, or commonly held beliefs in a neutral way.

Common error

Avoid using "it is thought to be" excessively in your writing. Over-reliance on passive voice can make your writing sound weak and less direct. Use active voice constructions where appropriate to make your writing more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is thought to be" functions as an introductory expression to present a conjecture, hypothesis, or generally held but unproven belief. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it introduces ideas across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is thought to be" serves as a versatile tool for expressing speculation or belief across various domains, as analyzed by Ludwig. Grammatically sound and frequently employed, particularly in news, scientific, and academic contexts, this phrase offers a means to introduce ideas without definitively asserting them as facts. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase, emphasizing its role in presenting hypotheses and commonly held beliefs in a neutral, non-committal manner. While "it is believed to be" and "it is considered to be" offer similar functionality, the specific choice depends on the degree of certainty or formality desired. It is crucial to avoid overuse of passive constructions to maintain a strong and direct writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is believed to be

Replaces "thought" with "believed", emphasizing a degree of conviction or acceptance, which is a more affirmative stance.

it is considered to be

Shifts focus to a more formal assessment or judgment.

it is presumed to be

Suggests a conclusion based on probability or reasonable assumption.

it is suggested that it is

Introduces an idea or possibility, often based on preliminary evidence.

it is speculated to be

Implies a more conjectural or unproven idea.

it is rumored to be

Indicates information that has circulated informally and may lack verification.

it is deemed to be

Emphasizes a formal judgment or decision.

it is understood to be

Focuses on a shared or common knowledge.

it is hypothesized to be

Introduces a scientific hypothesis requiring testing.

it is estimated to be

Indicates an approximate calculation or assessment.

FAQs

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

Use "it is thought to be" when you want to express an idea or possibility that is not definitively proven. For example, "It is thought to be the first time the bagpipes have been played in space."

What are some alternatives to "it is thought to be"?

You can use alternatives such as "it is believed to be", "it is considered to be", or "it is presumed to be" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is thought to be" formal or informal?

"It is thought to be" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more common in formal writing where a degree of objectivity or hedging is desired.

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

"It is thought to be" suggests that the information is a belief or a possibility that has not been definitively proven, while "it is known to be" indicates that the information is an established fact.