reported to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reported to be" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been circulated as hearsay or rumor, but has not been directly confirmed. For example: Several news outlets have reported that the mayor is planning to raise taxes, but the information has not been officially confirmed and is only reported to be true.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MetroPCS is reported to be — surprise!

The New York Times

The price was reported to be $10.

The New York Times

He was reported to be 69.

The New York Times

Mrs Merkel is reported to be wavering.

The Economist

The turnout was reported to be 51.6%.

The Guardian

The budget is reported to be $100m.

The Guardian - Film

The crew was reported to be safe.

The New York Times

The mosque was reported to be radical.

The Guardian

"Shots were reported to be fired.

The Guardian

Backroom lobbying was reported to be intense.

The New York Times

He was reported to be distraught.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine the phrase with specific sources when possible to increase credibility, such as "According to The New York Times, the deal is reported to be finalized next week."

Common error

Avoid overuse of "reported to be" in succession, which can make your writing sound passive and vague. Vary your sentence structure by occasionally using active voice and direct reporting instead of an overuse of passive constructions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reported to be" functions as a reporting verb construction, indicating that a piece of information has been communicated or circulated, but has not necessarily been verified or confirmed. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reported to be" is a versatile phrase used to convey information that has been circulated but not definitively confirmed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's a valuable tool for conveying unverified information, being mindful of overuse and choosing more direct language when possible is important to maintaining clarity and credibility in writing. The phrase is suitable for neutral registers, offering a way to share information without fully endorsing its accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

said to be

A more neutral alternative, indicating the information has been stated without implying verification.

claimed to be

Highlights that the information is a specific claim made by someone, rather than a general report.

alleged to be

Replaces "reported" with "alleged", implying a possibly dubious or unproven claim.

believed to be

Emphasizes the element of belief or opinion, suggesting the information may not be factual.

thought to be

Indicates a common perception or assumption, which may or may not be accurate.

rumored to be

Substitutes "reported" with "rumored", suggesting the information is based on informal gossip or hearsay.

considered to be

Implies a more formal assessment or evaluation leading to the belief.

purported to be

Suggests the information is presented as true, but may be questionable or deceptive.

understood to be

Indicates a general belief or consensus, rather than a specific report.

understood as

Shifts focus to the interpretation or understanding of something, rather than a direct report.

FAQs

How do I use "reported to be" in a sentence?

Use "reported to be" to indicate that information has been circulated but has not been officially confirmed. For example: "The negotiations are "said to be" in their final stages."

What can I say instead of "reported to be"?

You can use alternatives like "alleged to be", "rumored to be", or "said to be", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "reported to be" or "it is reported that"?

Both "reported to be" and "it is reported that" are grammatically correct. "Reported to be" is more concise, while "it is reported that" is more formal and emphasizes the act of reporting. For example: "It is reported that the company is considering a merger."

What's the difference between "reported to be" and "confirmed to be"?

"Reported to be" indicates information that has been circulated but not officially verified. "Confirmed to be" means the information has been officially verified and is considered factual. Therefore, "confirmed to be" should only be used when factual accuracy is established.