rumour has it

USAGE SUMMARY

"rumour has it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a piece of news or information that is currently circulating by word of mouth, but which has not yet been confirmed or verified. Example: Rumour has it that a new movie theatre is being built in town.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Adele – rumour has it!

The Guardian - Music

Rumour has it he's doing quite well.

The Guardian - Business

Rumour has it that their single Danger!

The Guardian

Rumour has it that there was dancing.

The Guardian - Books

Rumour has it you're a very tidy golfer.

The Guardian - Sport

Rumour has it he'd already booked a holiday.

The Guardian

Rumour has it that Debenhams has gone Dutch.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Still, rumour has it that Oliver Sterling is from Somalia.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Rumour has it that there'll be plenty of shooting.

The Guardian - Travel

Rumour has it that they were dropped by EastWest.

The Guardian

Rumour has it that prosecutors are trying to get Mr Safavian to testify against bigger fish.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the context when using "rumour has it". While appropriate in informal settings or news reporting, it might be too casual for formal academic writing.

Common error

Avoid presenting a rumour introduced by "rumour has it" as a confirmed fact. Ensure the surrounding language maintains a sense of uncertainty and possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rumour has it" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce information that is circulating informally but not yet confirmed. As Ludwig AI suggests, it sets the stage for conveying hearsay or speculation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rumour has it" is a common idiomatic phrase used to introduce unconfirmed information or hearsay. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While widely used in news and media, as highlighted by Ludwig's examples, it is crucial to maintain a sense of uncertainty when employing this phrase. Alternatives such as "it is said" or "the grapevine says" can offer varying degrees of formality and nuance, depending on the specific context. When writing, be mindful of overstating the certainty of a rumour and consider the audience to ensure appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

word has it

Replaces "rumour" with "word", indicating the information is circulating verbally.

the grapevine says

Uses a metaphorical expression to suggest information is spreading informally through social connections.

it is said

A more formal and impersonal way to introduce unconfirmed information.

sources say

Suggests information is coming from unnamed but possibly reliable sources.

the talk is

Indicates that a particular topic is currently being discussed or gossiped about.

it's been whispered

Emphasizes the secretive and potentially sensitive nature of the information.

i hear that

A personal way of introducing information that one has heard from an unspecified source.

they say that

Attributes the information to an anonymous group of people.

reportedly

Suggests that the information comes from a report or account, but without verifying its accuracy.

allegedly

Indicates that the information is claimed to be true, but without proof or confirmation.

FAQs

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

"Rumour has it" is used to introduce a piece of unconfirmed information. For example, "Rumour has it that the company is planning a merger."

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it is said" or "reportedly", which convey a similar meaning while maintaining a more professional register.

Is it okay to use "rumour has it" in academic writing?

While "rumour has it" is acceptable in some forms of writing, it's generally too informal for academic contexts. Opt for more objective phrasing like "sources say" or "it is alleged" when discussing unverified information.

What's the difference between "rumour has it" and "the grapevine says"?

Both "rumour has it" and "the grapevine says" introduce unconfirmed information, but "the grapevine says" implies the information is spreading through informal social networks, while "rumour has it" is a more general expression of hearsay.