presumed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "presumed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating an assumption or belief about something or someone without definitive proof. Example: "The suspect is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These patients are presumed to be cured.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The lymphoma is presumed to be malignant.

The New York Times

New architecture was presumed to be revolutionary.

The New Yorker

The death is currently presumed to be an accident.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The small objects are presumed to be quarks.

Britannica

If something's bipartisan, it's presumed to be fair and balanced.

The Washington Post

AO: Until recently, this was presumed to be the case.

The Guardian

Traditions are often presumed to be ancient and unalterable.

The New York Times

Decreased collagen synthesis is (presumed to be) the result.

Journal of Investigative Dermatology

In Chimbalanga, the teenager was widely presumed to be bewitched.

The New York Times

The victim is presumed to be the man's missing roommate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "presumed to be" when you want to indicate an assumption that is based on some evidence but lacks definitive proof. This phrase is particularly useful in formal writing or when discussing legal or scientific matters.

Common error

Avoid using "presumed to be" when you have conclusive evidence. If the information is definitively known, use stronger terms like "is" or "has been proven to be" to avoid undermining your statement's credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "presumed to be" functions as a modal verb construction, indicating a state of belief or assumption that something is likely true but not definitively proven. Ludwig AI examples show its common use in legal, scientific, and general contexts to express non-absolute certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Academia

27%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "presumed to be" is a versatile construction used to express an assumption or belief based on available evidence, without asserting absolute certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, from legal and scientific discussions to general news reporting. While alternatives like "assumed to be" or "believed to be" exist, "presumed to be" often carries a slightly more formal or official connotation. When using this phrase, ensure that you're acknowledging the potential for uncertainty and that your assumption is reasonably supported by evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assumed to be

Simple substitution of "presumed" with "assumed", conveying a similar level of certainty or lack thereof.

believed to be

Replaces "presumed" with "believed", emphasizing the subjective nature of the assessment.

thought to be

Using "thought" instead of "presumed" to indicate a more casual or less formal assessment.

understood to be

Indicates a general understanding or consensus, instead of an individual presumption.

considered to be

Emphasizes a more deliberate or formal evaluation leading to the presumption.

deemed to be

Implies a judgment or official assessment.

inferred to be

Highlights that the conclusion is reached through reasoning from evidence.

surmised to be

Suggests a conjecture based on incomplete information.

suspected to be

Indicates a belief based on limited evidence, often implying a negative connotation.

hypothesized to be

Signals a scientific or exploratory context, indicating a tentative explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "presumed to be" in a sentence?

Use "presumed to be" when you want to suggest something is likely true based on current evidence, but without absolute certainty. For example, "The missing hiker is "presumed to be" in the national park."

What are some alternatives to saying "presumed to be"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "assumed to be", "believed to be", or "thought to be".

Is there a difference between "assumed to be" and "presumed to be"?

While similar, "presumed to be" often implies a formal or legal context, suggesting a basis in accepted rules or evidence. "Assumed to be" can be more general, indicating a less formal or less substantiated belief.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "presumed to be"?

Avoid using "presumed to be" when you have concrete proof or definitive evidence. In such cases, a more assertive phrase like "is" or "has been confirmed" would be more suitable.