it was believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was believed" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a past belief or opinion. For example, "It was believed that the world was flat until the Age of Exploration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was believed to bring luck to its owner.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By keeping funds stashed offshore, it was believed that Apple was not paying its fair share.

Harvard University

Or so it was believed.

The New York Times

Exercise, it was believed, could exacerbate symptoms.

The New York Times

It was believed that Progress was inevitable.

The New Yorker

It was believed to be about 41.

The New York Times - Sports

Real or imagined, it was believed.

The Guardian

It was believed he could perform miracles.

The New Yorker

A month ago it was believed the Pres.

The New Yorker

It was believed that he had been sexually assaulted.

Independent

Before Vietnam it was believed the US would always prevail.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was believed", ensure the context clearly indicates who held the belief. If the source of the belief is unclear, consider specifying it for clarity.

Common error

Be specific about who held the belief. Saying simply "it was believed" can be vague. Clarify by stating who held that belief, such as "scientists believed" or "the community believed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was believed" functions as a reporting clause or introductory phrase. It introduces a statement of past belief, often providing context or background information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was believed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for introducing a past belief or understanding. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely applicable across different contexts. It is particularly prevalent in news media, scientific literature, and academic writing. When using "it was believed", ensure clarity by specifying who held the belief. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, alternatives like ""it had been thought"" or ""people used to think"" can provide subtle differences in meaning or formality. Remember to avoid vague attributions and clearly indicate the source of the past belief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had been thought

Uses "had been thought" to emphasize the past nature of the belief.

it was once thought

Adds "once" to indicate that the belief was held at a previous time.

people used to think

Shifts the focus to the people who held the belief.

the common belief was

Emphasizes that the belief was widely shared.

it was the general understanding

Highlights that the belief was a generally accepted understanding.

it was assumed

Suggests that the belief was taken for granted without proof.

it was considered

Indicates that the belief was a matter of consideration or judgment.

the understanding was

Shortens the phrase while maintaining the core meaning.

people presumed

Highlights that the belief was based on presumption.

the prevailing wisdom held

Emphasizes that the belief was part of the accepted wisdom of the time.

FAQs

How can I use "it was believed" in a sentence?

Use "it was believed" to introduce a past belief or understanding, for example, "it was believed that the Earth was flat".

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

"It was believed" refers to a past belief, while "it is believed" refers to a current belief or a belief held at the present time.

What are some alternatives to "it was believed"?

Alternatives include "it had been thought", "it was once thought", or "people used to think".

Is "it was believed" formal or informal?

"It was believed" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might exist for specific situations, like "it was the general understanding".