it was believed that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was believed that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a statement of what people thought or assumed to be true in the past. For example, "It was believed that the Earth was flat before the 16th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

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

Harvard University

It was believed that Progress was inevitable.

The New Yorker

It was believed that he had been sexually assaulted.

Independent

But it was believed that problem could be neutralised.

The Guardian

Again, it was believed that marijuana was the culprit.

The Washington Post

Previously, it was believed that mostly political detainees were tortured.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was believed that CSF could play the part of the lymphatic system in the brain.

Harvard University

It was believed that thicken layers of dye molecules were built around EMC particles.

Applied Water Science

It was believed that both the roof and the hanging wall were heavily fractured.

International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences

Until recently, it was believed that this phenomenon was largely restricted to the prokaryotic domain.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

It was believed that the char generally consisted of two different carbon structures (ordering and disordering).

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was believed that" to introduce a concept that was previously accepted but is now known to be incorrect or outdated. This can add historical context to your writing and highlight the evolution of understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "it was believed that" to express current beliefs. This phrase implies a past belief that may no longer be true. Instead, use phrases like "it is believed that" or "it is thought that" for present-day perspectives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was believed that" functions as an introductory clause to a statement, often presenting a historical perspective or a former understanding of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct. It sets the stage for contrasting this belief with current knowledge.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was believed that" serves as a valuable tool for introducing past beliefs, particularly those that have evolved or been disproven over time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. Its neutral tone makes it versatile for various contexts, notably science, news, and academia, as evidenced by the examples. When using this phrase, ensure you're referencing a belief genuinely held in the past and not a current perspective. Consider alternatives like "it was thought that" or "it was assumed that" to fine-tune your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was thought that

Replaces 'believed' with 'thought', implying a more general consideration rather than a firm conviction.

it was assumed that

Substitutes 'believed' with 'assumed', suggesting a presumption without concrete evidence.

it was presumed that

Similar to 'assumed', but can imply a stronger basis for the presumption.

people used to think that

Rephrases the sentence to focus on a group of people and their past thoughts.

it had been thought that

Emphasizes that the thinking occurred further in the past.

the prevailing view was that

Highlights that the belief was widely accepted.

the common wisdom was that

Indicates that the belief was a popular or traditional understanding.

it was understood that

Suggests that the belief was a generally accepted fact.

it was the general understanding that

Similar to 'it was understood that', emphasizing the widespread nature of the understanding.

traditionally, it was believed that

Adds a time dimension, indicating the belief was held over a long period.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was believed that"?

You can use alternatives such as "it was thought that", "it was assumed that", or "people used to think that depending on the context.

Is "it was believed that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was believed that" is grammatically correct. It is used to introduce a statement about something that people believed to be true in the past.

When should I use "it was believed that"?

Use "it was believed that" when referring to a past belief, especially one that has since been disproven or updated. This helps to show the evolution of knowledge or understanding.

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

"It was believed that" refers to a past belief, while "it is believed that" refers to a current belief. The former is used when discussing something that may no longer be considered true, whereas the latter expresses a present-day perspective.