thought to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thought to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a belief or assumption about something that is not definitively proven. Example: "The ancient ruins are thought to be over a thousand years old."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I thought to shoot".

The New York Times - Sports

I thought to make.

The New Yorker

She never thought to remarry.

The New Yorker

I thought to myself, Seriously?

The New York Times - Magazine

He was thought to be dead.

The Economist

Another 30 are thought to be injured.

Independent

"Damn it," Bond thought to himself.

The Guardian - Travel

Hillary Clinton was thought to have won.

The Economist

Capitalism itself is thought to be toxic.

The Economist

He is thought to have visited Rome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I love space," I thought to myself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thought to" when you want to convey a belief or assumption without stating it as a definitive fact. This is especially useful in academic or journalistic contexts where objectivity is important.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "thought to be". While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Consider whether an active voice construction would be more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought to" functions as a passive construction, indicating a belief, assumption, or estimation that isn't definitively proven. It often appears when presenting information without explicitly stating the source of the belief, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

11%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thought to" is a versatile passive construction employed to express beliefs, assumptions, or estimations without asserting them as definitively proven facts. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and commonly used. Its frequent appearance in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki articles underscores its value in presenting information with a degree of uncertainty. When writing, it's useful to remember that alternatives like "believed to be" or "considered to be" exist, which can add subtle differences in meaning or formality, however overusing passive voice should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believed to be

Emphasizes a state of being based on widespread belief, similar to "thought to" but with a stronger connotation of acceptance.

considered to be

Highlights a formal assessment or judgment, suggesting a more deliberate evaluation than "thought to".

regarded as

Implies a specific viewpoint or opinion held by a particular group or individual, differing from the more general "thought to".

presumed to be

Suggests an assumption based on probability, where evidence is lacking but likely, unlike the more neutral "thought to".

deemed to be

Indicates an official decision or judgment, making it more formal than "thought to".

understood to be

Focuses on a shared understanding or consensus, implying broader agreement than "thought to".

suspected to be

Implies a degree of doubt or uncertainty, where the belief is based on limited evidence, unlike the more neutral "thought to".

assumed to be

Highlights the act of taking something for granted without proof, distinguishing it from the more reflective "thought to".

hypothesized to be

Introduces a tentative explanation used as a basis for further investigation, making it more scientific than "thought to".

estimated to be

Indicates an approximate calculation or judgment, focusing on quantity or value rather than general belief like "thought to".

FAQs

How can I use "thought to" in a sentence?

The phrase "thought to" is generally used to express an assumption or belief that isn't definitively proven. For example, "The missing artifact is thought to be hidden in the catacombs."

What's a more formal way to say "thought to"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "considered to be", "deemed to be", or "regarded as". Each carries a slightly different nuance of formality and judgment.

Is it always necessary to specify who is doing the thinking when using "thought to"?

No, it is not always necessary. The passive voice construction with "thought to" often implies a general or collective belief, making it unnecessary to specify the source of the belief unless it's crucial for context.

What are common errors to avoid when using the phrase "thought to"?

A common error is using "thought to" when you have definitive proof of something. "Thought to" implies uncertainty, so use more direct language when certainty exists. Also avoid overuse, as it can make writing sound passive and vague.