she was believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was believed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's reputation or the perception others have of them, often in the context of belief or trust. Example: "Despite the rumors, she was believed to be innocent by her close friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

She was believed to be 97.

The New York Times

She was believed to be around 82.

The New York Times - Arts

She was believed to be 86.

The New York Times - Arts

She was believed to be about 5 years old.

The New York Times

She was believed to have been in her 80's, said McPherson & Company, her publishers.

The New York Times

Ms. Riley said Ms. Edwards's exact age was not known, though she was believed to be in her 80's.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

She is believed to be from Scotland.

The Guardian

She is believed still to be engaged in clandestine activity.

Independent

"I am Richard II," she is believed to have said.

The New York Times

She is believed to have travelled to Kenya.

Independent

She is believed to have died of natural causes.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she was believed", ensure the context clearly indicates who held the belief. Specifying the source of the belief enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "she was believed" excessively in your writing, as it can make your prose sound weak or vague. Consider using active voice constructions when possible to make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was believed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (she) is the recipient of the action (believed). It's typically used to convey a general perception or assumption about someone, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

17%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was believed" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to convey a general perception or assumption about a female subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, it appears frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. When writing with "she was believed", prioritize clarity by specifying who held the belief and avoiding overuse of passive voice. Consider using active voice constructions for a more direct style. Explore related phrases like "she was thought to be" or "she was considered to be" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was thought to be

A more formal way of expressing a general thought or opinion about her.

it was thought she was

Emphasizes a general thought or opinion about her, rather than a specific belief.

she was considered to be

Focuses on evaluation of her based on collected opinions.

the common belief was that she

Stresses the widespread nature of the belief about her.

people assumed she was

Highlights the act of assuming something about her, implying less certainty.

it was presumed she was

Suggests a conclusion based on probability or likelihood.

she was understood to be

Implies a shared understanding or assumption about her.

she was deemed to be

Suggests an official or authoritative judgment about her.

she was rumored to be

Indicates that the belief is based on rumors or unverified information.

she was reputed to be

Suggests that her reputation is the basis of the belief.

FAQs

How can I use "she was believed" in a sentence?

You can use "she was believed" to indicate a commonly held opinion or assumption about a female subject. For example, "She was believed to be the last surviving veteran of World War I."

What are some alternatives to "she was believed"?

Alternatives include "she was thought to be", "she was considered to be", or "it was believed that she", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "she was believed" or "people believed her"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "people believed her" is in the active voice and can sound more direct and engaging. "She was believed" is in the passive voice, which can be useful when the source of the belief is less important or unknown.

What does "she was believed to have" mean?

"She was believed to have" indicates that there was a common belief that she had done something or possessed a quality. For example, "She was believed to have been the inspiration for Ma Joad in John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath'".