she was thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"she was thought" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an opinion or belief about someone that someone else had. For example: After the incident, she was thought to be an unreliable employee.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

SHE was thought to be a goner but by the time the votes were counted she had morphed into the comeback kid.

The Economist

She was thought to have had neither consort nor offspring.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She was thought of as very artsy, as the phrase was in those days.

University of California, Berkeley

At first, she was thought to have asthma, then allergies, then bronchitis and pneumonia.

The New York Times - Sports

She was thought by most to have won the most recent debate among Republican presidential candidates.

The Economist

He said she was thought to be the leader of the group.

The New York Times

When she first arrived, she was thought to be the more robust.

The Guardian

She was thought to have learned from the mistakes of her first presidential campaign, in 2008.

The Washington Post

She was thought to be among possible vice-presidential picks for Clinton.

The Guardian

She was thought to be headed for Australia, but Canada stepped in and granted her asylum.

The Washington Post

She was thought to owe him something, more than gratitude, and she helped support him -- in fact, was forced to.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was thought" when you want to emphasize the opinion or belief of others, rather than stating a fact. This phrasing allows for potential ambiguity or doubt about the accuracy of the thought.

Common error

Avoid using "she was thought" without clarifying who held that thought. Ensure the context makes it clear whose opinion you are referring to, or explicitly state the source to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was thought" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone held a particular belief or opinion about the subject. Ludwig examples illustrate how this phrase is employed to convey past perceptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she was thought" serves as a passive construction used to express beliefs or opinions held by others about a female subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. Analysis reveals it's most frequently found in news and media, with neutral register, indicating its suitability for reporting past perceptions. The phrase subtly implies a degree of uncertainty or subjectivity regarding the belief, distinguishing it from stronger assertions like "she was believed". Using alternatives like "she was considered" or "she was deemed" can further refine the intended meaning. When using this phrase, ensure you clarify the source of the thought to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was considered

Focuses on a formal evaluation or judgment made about her.

she was believed

Emphasizes a widely held conviction or faith in something about her.

she was deemed

Implies a formal or official assessment of her.

she was regarded

Highlights how she was viewed or esteemed by others.

she was understood to be

Indicates a general consensus or interpretation of her character or actions.

it was thought she was

Shifts the emphasis to the general opinion about her.

people thought she was

Highlights the general public's perception of her.

she was reputed to be

Suggests a widespread, though not necessarily confirmed, belief about her.

she was rumored to be

Implies the belief is based on unofficial or speculative information.

she was suspected of being

Indicates a cautious or guarded belief, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

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

Use "she was thought" to express a past belief or opinion about someone, often indicating that the belief may not be entirely accurate or universally held. For instance, "she was thought to be ill, but she recovered quickly".

What's the difference between "she was thought" and "she was believed"?

"She was thought" implies a less firm conviction compared to "she was believed". The latter suggests a stronger level of certainty or widespread acceptance of the belief.

What can I say instead of "she was thought"?

You can use alternatives like "she was considered", "she was regarded as", or "it was thought that she was", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "she is thought" instead of "she was thought"?

While "she is thought" is grammatically correct, it refers to a present belief. "She was thought" refers to a belief held in the past. The correct choice depends on the time frame you are referencing.