suspected

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "suspected" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you have a suspicion or doubt about something or someone. For example, "The police have suspected the man of being involved in the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The DUP leader's ultimatum followed the collapse of the trial of John Downey, suspected of involvement in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing which killed four soldiers.

The Guardian

"We have obviously had now 11 suspected cases [of Ebola], all of which have been negative after testing," he said.

The Guardian

We consider how radio is getting children's voices heard in Senegal and also take a look at 'witchcraft' in Tanzania and Mozambique, and the murders of suspected witches.

The Guardian

Crider suspected that the US, which sent interrogators to interview Mobley shortly after he was detained, is complicit in his apparent disappearance.

The Guardian

But Osborne always suspected that Balls's record under Brown could be exploited.

The Guardian

A US drone strike has killed at least six suspected al-Qaida militants in southern Yemen today, officials said.

The Guardian

"Even if there's just one suspected case among them, this is dangerous," he said, the frustration clear in his voice above the booming bass.

The Guardian

December 2006: The Times claimed the investigation could widen to include possible charges on perverting the course of justice, with some individuals suspected of colluding over evidence.

The Guardian

The detention in police cells of those experiencing mental health crises who are not suspected of any crime has been controversial.

The Guardian

After a bruising cabinet discussion on the citizenship issue was leaked to the media, the Abbott government is still considering stripping sole citizens suspected of terrorist offences if they can potentially access citizenship elsewhere.

The Guardian

I suspected that the majority of people lamenting the existence of twerking don't understand what it is, and have not actually seen the dance itself (including those who have watched Miley Cyrus' performance at the VMAs).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suspected" to indicate a belief or a degree of certainty that something is likely, but not yet proven, to be true. This implies a level of investigation or consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "suspected" when you have concrete evidence. Instead, use stronger terms like "confirmed", "proven", or "established" to reflect the level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The word "suspected" functions primarily as an adjective and verb. As an adjective, it describes someone or something that is believed to be involved in an activity, often illegal or undesirable, but without conclusive proof. As a verb it indicates the action to suspect. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples in which "suspected" is used to modify nouns or express a tentative belief.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suspected" is a versatile term used primarily as an adjective or verb to indicate a belief or possibility without definitive proof. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in news and media, where it conveys uncertainty about individuals or situations under scrutiny. While grammatically correct, "suspected" should be used cautiously to avoid overstating certainty when stronger evidence exists. Related terms include "alleged" and "believed", each carrying slightly different connotations. Remember to use "suspected of", not "suspected for", and reserve "suspected" for situations where definitive proof is lacking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under suspicion

Directly states that someone is being suspected, emphasizing the state of being investigated.

considered a suspect

Formally identifies someone as a suspect in an investigation.

allegedly involved

Focuses on an unproven claim of involvement, often used in legal or journalistic contexts.

thought to be responsible

Emphasizes a belief or opinion about someone's responsibility for an action.

believed to be implicated

Highlights the belief that someone is connected to a crime or wrongdoing.

presumed guilty

Indicates an assumption of guilt, which may be controversial due to its legal implications.

potentially linked

Suggests a possible connection or association, often without strong evidence.

reportedly connected

Highlights that a connection is being reported, but not necessarily confirmed.

linked to allegations

Highlights connections with allegations, emphasizing the unproven nature of the claims.

questioned about

Focuses on the act of questioning by authorities, suggesting potential suspicion.

FAQs

How can "suspected" be used in a sentence?

You can use "suspected" to describe someone believed to have committed a crime, as in "The "suspected thief" was apprehended". It can also describe situations, such as "a "suspected arson" case".

What are some alternatives to the word "suspected"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "alleged", "presumed", or "believed". Each carries a slightly different connotation regarding the level of certainty or evidence.

When is it appropriate to use "suspected" instead of "known"?

"Suspected" implies a lack of definitive proof, while "known" indicates certainty. Use "suspected" when you have reasons to believe something but cannot definitively prove it, as opposed to something that is a "known fact".

What's the difference between "suspected of" and "suspected for"?

The correct preposition to use with "suspected" in this context is "of". You would say "suspected of" committing a crime, not "suspected for". "Suspected for" is grammatically incorrect in this usage.