rumor has it

USAGE SUMMARY

"rumor has it" is a valid phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce information that may or may not be accurate or based on fact. For example, "Rumor has it that the company is planning to open a new office in Los Angeles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rumor has it the Banshee is already planning its next mashup production, "House of Bards".

The New Yorker

Rumor has it that this carny talk found its way into popular culture years later.

Duke University

Or so rumor has it.

The New York Times

Rumor has it that one actually works.

The New Yorker

Rumor has it that Koon owns several buildings in Chinatown.

The New York Times - Magazine

Rumor has it she once knocked out a boy's tooth.

The New York Times - Books

Rumor has it the play was not very good.

The New York Times

Rumor has it there is a recession going on.

The New York Times

"Rumor has it he shot himself," Kobalenko writes.

The New York Times - Books

Rumor has it the kettle still resides at the Monrinji Temple!

Princeton University

Rumor has it she may want to move on musically, too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context when using "rumor has it", as it can be perceived as gossipy or unprofessional in certain formal settings.

Common error

Avoid presenting information prefaced by "rumor has it" as definitive truth. Always ensure your audience understands the speculative nature of the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rumor has it" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce information that is circulating but not officially confirmed. It acts as a disclaimer that the information may be unreliable or based on hearsay. According to Ludwig, this is a valid phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rumor has it" is a common idiom used to introduce unverified information. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered valid in the English language. As demonstrated by the numerous examples, it appears frequently in contexts like news and media but should be used cautiously in more formal or academic settings. When employing "rumor has it", it's important to signal the speculative nature of the information to your audience and avoid presenting it as fact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gossip has it

This alternative is interchangeable and maintains a focus on informal news.

it is rumored

This alternative is a passive construction that directly states the information is a rumor.

the word is

This alternative is a more concise way of conveying that a piece of information is circulating.

people are saying

This alternative conveys that the information is based on widespread reports.

sources say

This alternative suggests the information comes from unnamed informants.

it's been said

This alternative is a more general way of indicating hearsay.

the buzz is

This alternative uses more informal language to indicate current gossip.

the grapevine says

This alternative uses a metaphorical reference to informal communication networks.

according to hearsay

This alternative explicitly attributes the information to unverified sources.

it's whispered that

This alternative emphasizes the secretive nature of the circulating information.

FAQs

How can I use "rumor has it" in a sentence?

You can use "rumor has it" to introduce information that you've heard but cannot confirm, such as "Rumor has it that the company is planning a new product launch next quarter."

What's a more formal alternative to "rumor has it"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "it is rumored" or "it is believed" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "rumor has it" in academic writing?

While "rumor has it" is common in news and informal contexts, it's generally not suitable for academic writing. Opt for more substantiated claims or explicitly acknowledge uncertainty with phrases like "it is speculated" or "there is speculation".

What's the difference between "rumor has it" and "the word is"?

Both "rumor has it" and "the word is" introduce unconfirmed information, but "rumor has it" directly implies the information is based on hearsay, whereas "the word is" is slightly more neutral but can also imply certainty.