Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
speculation has it
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "speculation has it" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "rumor has it." You can use it when referring to a widely circulated belief or rumor about something, often without concrete evidence.
Example: "Rumor has it that the company is planning to launch a new product next month."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
16 human-written examples
Particularly if, as the speculation has it this weekend, the proposed tie-up leads to more banana mergers.
News & Media
In Boston, speculation has it that Krzyzewski, will be offered a five-year, $2.5 million package by the Celtics.
News & Media
Later speculation has it that the emperor wanted to compensate Albert for setbacks in his life and career.
News & Media
And the 43-year-old executive will be the top man in a whole new management team, the speculation has it.
News & Media
A corollary speculation has it that the assassination might have been engineered by Chechnya's President Alu Alkhanov in order to implicate, and neutralize Kadyrov.
News & Media
The speculation has it that, if she were removed by a court order, it could trigger a civil war which would be the first ever in a modern, upper-middle-income country.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
44 human-written examples
That's far more than local speculation had it a few weeks back.
News & Media
Speculation had it that Henri's Catholicism prevented him from doing so.
News & Media
But it is always likely that he will be given the outside lane in such big events and definitely, on times alone and, as speculation had it, just in case he slipped and caused damage to his fellow athletes.
News & Media
At the time, some of the more feverish speculation had it that this might signify that the military leader was actually in control.
News & Media
Before the tournament, speculation had it that when Hoppe met Katsura in the championship in the to 50 points format, he would defeat her with Katsura still needing at least 40.
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Consider the formality of your context: "rumor has it" is suitable for informal settings, while "it is speculated" is better for formal writing.
Common error
Avoid using "speculation has it" as it's not grammatically correct. Instead, use phrases like "rumor has it" or "it is speculated", depending on the context and desired level of formality. Sticking to these alternatives will improve clarity and perceived credibility.
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
3.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "speculation has it" functions as an idiomatic expression to introduce a rumor or conjecture. However, it is grammatically incorrect, as highlighted by Ludwig AI. It attempts to convey that there is widespread speculation about a particular matter, but the structure is non-standard.
Frequent in
News & Media
71%
Encyclopedias
14%
Science
14%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Wiki
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
While "speculation has it" attempts to convey a sense of widespread rumor or conjecture, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its usage is more infrequent compared to alternatives like "rumor has it" and its perceived credibility might be lower, especially in professional settings. It is important to opt for grammatically correct alternatives to ensure clarity and maintain writing credibility. Remember, while the phrase appears in various sources like news and encyclopedias, sticking to standard language improves communication.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
rumor has it
More common and grammatically correct alternative to express a widespread rumor.
it is rumored
Passive construction emphasizing the widespread nature of the rumor.
the word is
Indicates information circulating informally, often implying a degree of uncertainty.
it is speculated
Formal alternative, highlighting the element of conjecture.
the talk is
Like "the word is", but may emphasize more casual conversation.
the buzz is
Informal, suggesting widespread excitement or discussion about a topic.
it is believed
Suggests a general consensus or widespread opinion.
sources say
Implicates unnamed sources as the origin of the information.
people are saying
Attributing a statement to general hearsay or public discourse.
allegedly
Indicates that a claim is made without proof.
FAQs
Is "speculation has it" grammatically correct?
No, "speculation has it" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. A more appropriate alternative is "rumor has it".
What does "speculation has it" mean?
The intended meaning of "speculation has it" is to indicate that there's a widespread belief or rumor about something, even without concrete evidence. You can use "it is said" or "word has it" instead.
Which is better, "speculation has it" or "rumor has it"?
Rumor has it is the preferred and grammatically correct alternative to "speculation has it". It's widely accepted and understood in both formal and informal contexts.
What are some formal alternatives to "speculation has it"?
For formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it is speculated", "it is believed", or "sources say". These options provide a more professional tone than "speculation has it".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
3.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested