suspected that

USAGE SUMMARY

"suspected that" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to express a belief or feeling that something is true or likely to be true. Here are a few examples: - The detective suspected that the witness was withholding important information. - She suspected that her friend was lying to her. - We suspected that the project deadline would be extended. - He suspected that his boss was not being truthful about the company's finances. - The doctor suspected that the patient had a rare illness.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

I said I suspected that was unlikely.

The New Yorker

come from suspected, that is, from nameless pens.

Yale University

Pro-government vigilantes are suspected - that too is something new.

BBC

Yes QV, I suspected that might be the case.

BBC

Ray had suspected that".

The New York Times - Sports

Burke suspected that he was.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

I suspect that would happen.

The New York Times

Bassuk suspects that is unlikely.

Cornell University

Some critics suspect that is the point.

The New York Times

Why do I suspect that?

The New Yorker

I suspect that will continue.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suspected that" when you have some evidence or reason to believe something, but lack definitive proof. It's useful for conveying uncertainty or a provisional conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "suspected that" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise verbs like "hypothesized", "concluded", or "inferred" to convey a greater degree of certainty or evidence-based reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspected that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It expresses a state of mind where someone holds a belief or has an inclination towards something being true, but without definitive proof. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suspected that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a belief or inclination towards something without absolute certainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's common in various contexts, including news, academic discussions, and general conversation. While highly versatile, be mindful of formality levels and consider using more precise verbs in academic and scientific writing. When some evidence exists, this phrase is an appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

presumed that

Suggests a belief based on probability or reasonable grounds, slightly more formal than "suspected that".

inferred that

Suggests drawing a conclusion from evidence, similar to "suspected that" but based on more concrete information.

believed that

Indicates a stronger sense of conviction compared to "suspected that".

surmised that

Implies forming a belief with limited information, similar to "suspected that" but perhaps more tentative.

assumed that

Implies taking something for granted without proof, similar to "suspected that" but with less evidence.

conjectured that

Implies a speculative conclusion, similar to "suspected that" but with less certainty.

thought that

A more general term for having an idea or opinion, less specific than "suspected that".

had a hunch that

Suggests an intuitive feeling or belief, less rational than "suspected that".

guessed that

Indicates a less informed belief, implying a lack of solid evidence compared to "suspected that".

entertained the notion that

Implies considering a possibility without necessarily believing it, a weaker form of "suspected that".

FAQs

How can I use "suspected that" in a sentence?

Use "suspected that" to express a belief or feeling that something is likely true based on some evidence, such as, "The detective "suspected that" the butler was the culprit."

What are some alternatives to "suspected that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "believed that", "assumed that", or "presumed that" instead of "suspected that".

Is it appropriate to use "suspected that" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "suspected that" can sometimes sound less formal. In academic or professional contexts, consider using stronger or more precise verbs like "hypothesized", "inferred", or "concluded".

What's the difference between "suspected that" and "knew that"?

"Suspected that" implies a belief based on limited evidence, while "knew that" indicates certainty and confirmed knowledge. For example, "I "suspected that" he was lying, but I didn't know for sure" versus "I "knew that" he was lying because I saw the evidence."