it is thought to contain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is thought to contain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing beliefs or assumptions about the contents of something, often in a scientific or analytical context. Example: "The ancient manuscript is believed to contain valuable historical information that could change our understanding of the period."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It is thought to contain almost no Ytterbium whatsoever.

The New York Times

But, as May invites ministers to review the plan one-by-one and prominent figures across all parties – and on both sides of the Brexit question line up to attack the provisions it is thought to contain, it appears she still has a way to go.

The Guardian

The lead cylinder has yet to be opened but it is thought to contain coins and papers from the time.

BBC

An estimated 100 light years across, it is thought to contain 100,000 stars.

Wikipedia

This area is particularly interesting since it is thought to contain inputs from and projections to all regions of the cortex [16].

Plosone

Relatively little is known about the toxin, although it is thought to contain 38 C-atoms and several aromatic rings, and to be the product of a least two separate gene clusters in X. albilineans (Rott et al. 1996).

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's thought to contain more than 60 species of marine life, among them seals, turtles, sharks, sunfish, crabs, oysters and coral.

The New York Times - Arts

It was thought to contain hearths and stone artifacts as old as 48,000 years, about 35,000 years earlier than the commonly accepted dates for the first human settlement of the Americas.

Britannica

However, many critics did not take it seriously on the grounds of the implausibilities and inconsistencies that it was thought to contain.

Wikipedia

(It is this review, incidentally, which is thought to contain the first instance of the phrase "stream of consciousness" applied specifically to literature.

The Guardian - Books

This area is thought to contain so much oil that environmentalists fear exploiting it could blow the world's carbon budget.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is thought to contain", ensure that the source of the thought or belief is clear, either through context or direct attribution. This adds credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid presenting "it is thought to contain" as a definitive fact. This phrase implies uncertainty, so overstating the certainty undermines the credibility of the statement. Qualify the statement further by adding something like "according to preliminary research" or "based on current evidence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is thought to contain" functions as a hedge, indicating a level of uncertainty or speculation. It attributes a belief or assumption about what something includes, without stating it as a definitive fact. As Ludwig AI tells us, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is thought to contain" serves as a hedge, expressing a belief or assumption without stating it as a definitive fact. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While neutral in register, it's essential to ensure source clarity and avoid overstating certainty when employing this phrase. Alternatives such as "it is believed to include" and "it is considered to have" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, it's a versatile phrase for conveying informed speculation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is believed to include

Replaces 'thought' with 'believed', emphasizing the conviction about the contents.

it is considered to have

Substitutes 'thought to contain' with 'considered to have', focusing on the assessment of possession.

it is presumed to hold

Changes 'thought' to 'presumed', indicating a tentative assumption about what something holds.

it is estimated to encompass

Replaces 'thought to contain' with 'estimated to encompass', highlighting the approximation of the included elements.

it is understood to incorporate

Uses 'understood to incorporate' instead of 'thought to contain', suggesting a general understanding of the included components.

it is deemed to comprise

Replaces 'thought to contain' with 'deemed to comprise', focusing on the formal assessment of the components.

it is speculated to feature

Changes 'thought' to 'speculated', emphasizing a conjectural aspect about what it features.

it is suggested to embody

Substitutes 'thought to contain' with 'suggested to embody', focusing on the representative aspect of the contents.

it is rumored to possess

Replaces 'thought' with 'rumored', suggesting an unverified claim about what it possesses.

it is suspected of harboring

Changes 'thought' to 'suspected', emphasizing a cautious assumption about what it harbors.

FAQs

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

Use "it is thought to contain" to express a belief or assumption about the contents of something, like "The ancient manuscript "it is thought to contain" valuable historical information".

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

You can use alternatives like "it is believed to include", "it is considered to have", or "it is presumed to hold" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "it is thought to contain" and "it is known to contain"?

"It is thought to contain" implies a level of uncertainty or speculation, while "it is known to contain" suggests a higher degree of certainty based on established knowledge.

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

"It is thought to contain" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "it is deemed to comprise" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.