Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
putative to be
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "putative to be" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words that lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "The putative to be consequences of the decision were not fully considered."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
This is because the metabolic processes of eukaryotic cells take place in the membrane surrounded cell organelles (e.g. chloroplasts) and is thus putative to be difficult for some commonly used redox mediators such as 2-hydroxy-1,4-nepthoquinone to get access to [57, 74].
It shows that, despite being conserved, M c models are rarely putative to be functional in MMS scoring as anticipated.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
"Chase Bank permitted all funds from putative investors to be commingled in a single account and permitted Madoff to withdraw the funds as he saw fit, without limitation," it continued.
News & Media
Genes with high levels of expression only in female flowers are putative candidates to be involved in pollen sterility.
Science
The 'possible family link' allows putative blame to be removed from John's son's actions.
Science
This step allowed putative functions to be assigned on the basis of the classification proposed by GO.
Science
If an agent or putative landlord seems to be rushing you, increase your due diligence.
News & Media
One is also at a loss to know whether Burton's putative masterwork is to be taken seriously.
News & Media
The functional consequences to each of the members of this putative complex remain to be determined.
Science
Three of the putative MITEs appear to be portions of retroelements.
Science
The biochemical nature of this putative envelope remains to be determined.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using the phrase "putative to be". Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "alleged to be" or "thought to be".
Common error
The phrase "putative to be" is an uncommon and awkward construction. While "putative" has a specific meaning, combining it directly with "to be" creates an unnatural phrasing. Choose a more precise verb or adjective to convey your intended meaning more effectively.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "putative to be" attempts to function as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun implicitly. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect. "Putative" should directly modify the noun without the "to be" construction.
Frequent in
Science
66%
News & Media
34%
Formal & Business
0%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the individual word "putative" is a valid adjective meaning 'generally considered or reputed to be', the phrase "putative to be" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. As Ludwig AI confirms, more appropriate alternatives include "alleged to be", "supposed to be", or similar constructions that offer greater clarity and precision. The phrase's limited occurrences appear primarily in scientific contexts, but its incorrect usage undermines its effectiveness.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
alleged to be
Focuses on an assertion made without proof.
supposed to be
Implies expectation or common belief.
considered to be
Highlights a considered opinion or evaluation.
thought to be
Suggests a belief or hypothesis.
deemed to be
Implies a formal judgement or assessment.
regarded as
Emphasizes a particular view or opinion held by many.
presumed to be
Suggests an assumption based on available evidence.
understood to be
Focuses on a general understanding or interpretation.
expected to be
Highlights an anticipated outcome.
reported to be
Indicates information that has been communicated, but not necessarily verified.
FAQs
What does "putative" mean?
"Putative" means generally considered or reputed to be. It suggests something is assumed to be the case but has not yet been definitively proven.
Is it correct to say "putative to be"?
No, the phrase "putative to be" is not considered grammatically correct. It's better to use phrases like "alleged to be" or "supposed to be" instead.
What are some alternatives to "putative to be"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "considered to be", "thought to be", or "presumed to be".
How can I use "putative" correctly in a sentence?
Use "putative" as an adjective before a noun, like in "putative cause", "putative function", or "putative ancestor". For example: "The putative cause of the disease is still unknown."
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested