the rumor circulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the rumor circulated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how information or gossip spreads among people. Example: "In the small town, the rumor circulated that a famous celebrity was moving in next door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"The rumor circulated that it was a bluff, but it wasn't - we have to close,"said Pierre Peladeau, president of Quebecor Inc. of Montreal.

The New York Times

The rumor circulated that after employees went home in the afternoon, these people would swarm across the plant floor, snoop around people's workstations, and have heated discussions.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

These days, the soap audience is twenty million, and the rumor circulates that daytime is dying.

The New Yorker

Though the rumor circulating in Venice was that she would not win a prize because of her nationality -- and she did not -- her work became one of the hits of the show.

The New York Times - Arts

He was also quick to rebut the rumor, circulating on several Web sites, that the Amish don't really make the mantels, but are simply used as a marketing gimmick: "They are made by the Amish, every one of them".

The New York Times

That is the rumor circulating the Web.

TechCrunch

That was the rumor circulating Wednesday, nearly a week after the space telescope went into safe mode.

Los Angeles Times

But it seems a shame that the rumors circulated in the first place, and it is hard to separate them from Mr. Hamdani's religion.

The New York Times

"In spite of that, it was recently noticed that there's crowdedness around gas stations as a result of the rumors circulated about an increase in the prices," the state-run newspaper Al Ahram reported.

The New York Times

But on Friday, Anderson addressed many of the rumors circulating about USF1's future.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Lagarde has kept quiet about the rumors circulating about her potential candidacy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the rumor circulated", ensure the context clearly indicates the source and scope of the rumor. If possible, provide additional details about the rumor's content or impact to enhance clarity and reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions when using the phrase. Consider active alternatives to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "the rumor was circulated by…", try "sources circulated the rumor."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the rumor circulated" functions as a narrative device to introduce an element of unconfirmed information or speculation into a situation. It commonly sets the stage for further developments or explanations, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the rumor circulated" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce the spread of unverified information, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While relatively infrequent, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases, such as "the gossip spread" or "the word went around", can be used to convey similar meanings. When employing this phrase, consider its impact on your writing style and avoid overusing passive voice to maintain a clear and engaging narrative. Remember to use this phrase when you want to indicate that a specific rumor is making its way through a community or group, often with uncertain origins or veracity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the gossip spread

Focuses on informal, often personal, information being disseminated.

the word went around

Emphasizes the informal transmission of news or information.

the news leaked out

Suggests that information was initially intended to be kept secret.

the story was doing the rounds

Highlights the widespread nature of the information being shared.

it was rumored

Shortened and more direct way of expressing the existence of a rumor.

talk began to spread

Indicates the beginning of the dissemination of information.

the whispers increased

Emphasizes the low-volume and secretive nature of the rumor.

the buzz grew

Highlights the increasing excitement or interest surrounding the information.

speculation arose

Focuses on the act of conjecture and forming opinions without firm evidence.

the grapevine had it

Emphasizes that the source of information is unofficial and informal.

FAQs

What does "the rumor circulated" mean?

It means a piece of information, often unverified, spread widely among people. It suggests the information was passed from person to person.

What can I say instead of "the rumor circulated"?

You can use alternatives like "the gossip spread", "the word went around", or "it was rumored" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "the rumor circulated" or "a rumor circulated"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the rumor circulated" implies a specific rumor known to both the speaker and the audience, while "a rumor circulated" introduces a new, unspecified rumor.

What's the difference between "the rumor circulated" and "the news spread"?

"The rumor circulated" implies unverified information, whereas "the news spread" suggests confirmed information that became widely known. The former emphasizes uncertainty, while the latter emphasizes factual dissemination.