they were believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "they were believed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is generally accepted to be true or factual by the general public. For example, "Back in the 19th century, they were believed to be the only organisms capable of photosynthesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were believed.

The New York Times

They were believed to be the biggest in decades.

The New York Times

They were believed to be too sick to live.

The New Yorker

Oh, and they were believed to have forked tongues.

The New York Times

They were believed responsible for the Dujail arrests.

Independent

In Greenland they were believed to forecast storms, but elsewhere they were believed to foretell fine weather.

Independent

Absentee voters were excluded because they were believed to vote early, before the receipt of these mailings.

Yale University

They were believed to be plotting to blow up the US embassy in Sarajevo.

The Guardian

She said they were believed to form the majority of the stolen documents.

The New York Times

They were believed to have joined IS and encouraged their younger siblings to join too.

The Guardian

The Kenites' name was derived from Cain, whose descendants they were believed to be.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were believed", ensure the subject is clear and the context provides sufficient information about who held the belief. Avoid vagueness by specifying the group or individuals holding the belief if possible.

Common error

While "they were believed" is grammatically correct, excessive use of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider rephrasing to use the active voice where appropriate to create a more engaging and direct style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were believed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group or entity was the object of a belief. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for written English, denoting a state of accepted truth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were believed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase in the English language. Ludwig AI validates its usability, highlighting its role in conveying past beliefs across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, this phrase suits neutral to formal registers. While effective, writers should avoid over-reliance on passive voice and consider active alternatives for a more direct style. To enhance clarity, it's best to specify who held the belief when possible. The provided examples and analyses offer a comprehensive understanding of this versatile phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the general consensus was that they were

Indicates a broader agreement or collective opinion.

it was the prevailing view that

Highlights the widespread acceptance of a particular viewpoint.

it was thought they were

Rephrases the belief more generally, focusing on the thinking rather than the believing.

they were regarded as

Highlights the act of considering or viewing something in a certain way.

they were considered to be

Similar to 'regarded as' but can suggest a more formal or official assessment.

they were deemed to be

Indicates a more formal judgment or assessment.

it was their understanding that

Shifts the emphasis to the subject's understanding, implying a personal interpretation.

it was their impression that

Focuses on the impression or feeling they had.

they were presumed to be

Emphasizes the act of presuming or taking something for granted.

people assumed them to be

Emphasizes the assumption made by people.

FAQs

How can I use "they were believed" in a sentence?

Use "they were believed" to express that something was generally accepted as true in the past. For example, "In ancient times, "they were believed" to have magical powers".

What are some alternatives to "they were believed"?

Alternatives include "it was thought they were", "they were regarded as", or "the general consensus was that they were", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "they were believed"?

While "they were believed" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "People believed them to be") can sometimes make your writing more direct and engaging. Choose the voice that best suits the context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "they were believed" and "they are believed"?

"They were believed" indicates that the belief was held in the past, while "they are believed" suggests the belief is currently held. For example, "They were believed to be gods in ancient times" versus "They are believed to be hiding somewhere".