thought to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"thought to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is believed to be true without actually confirming it. For example, "The painting is thought to be one of his earliest works."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hundreds are thought to be trapped.

Independent

Delirium once was thought to be transient.

The New York Times

He was thought to be traveling alone.

The New York Times - Sports

Saltwater is thought to be the culprit.

The New York Times

Accidents are thought to be hugely underreported.

The New York Times

He was thought to be dead.

The Economist

Another 30 are thought to be injured.

Independent

Capitalism itself is thought to be toxic.

The Economist

It's thought to be an heirloom.

The New York Times

Bigger was thought to be better.

The New Yorker

The patient was thought to be cured.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "thought to be", ensure the context clearly indicates who holds the belief. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "thought to be" in your writing. While it's useful for expressing uncertainty, relying on it too heavily can weaken your prose. Vary your language with stronger verbs or more direct statements when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought to be" primarily functions as a hedge or qualifier. It softens a statement, indicating that something is believed to be true but hasn't been definitively proven. It allows for the expression of opinions or assumptions without asserting them as facts, similar to the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thought to be" is a versatile linguistic tool used to express belief or opinion without asserting a definitive fact. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts. Its function is to act as a hedge, softening claims and conveying uncertainty. This analysis shows that "thought to be" maintains a neutral register, appearing frequently in news, scientific articles, and encyclopedias, showcasing its broad applicability. When using this phrase, writers should be mindful of potential overuse and consider using stronger verbs when certainty is higher.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believed to be

Focuses on the active belief rather than the passive perception.

considered to be

Implies a more formal or deliberate assessment.

deemed to be

Suggests a judgment or official decision.

presumed to be

Indicates an assumption made in the absence of concrete evidence.

suspected to be

Highlights a degree of doubt or uncertainty.

understood to be

Conveys a general consensus or common knowledge.

estimated to be

Emphasizes a quantitative approximation.

alleged to be

Indicates that something is claimed but not yet proven.

reputed to be

Highlights the basis of the claim in hearsay or rumor.

speculated to be

Suggests that the idea is based on conjecture and open to debate.

FAQs

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

The phrase "thought to be" is used to express a belief or opinion that something is true, without stating it as a confirmed fact. For example, "The artifact is "believed to be" from the Roman era" or "She is "presumed to be" the next CEO".

What are some alternatives to "thought to be"?

Alternatives to "thought to be" include phrases such as ""believed to be"", "considered to be", ""presumed to be"", or "suspected to be", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "thought to be" in formal writing?

Yes, "thought to be" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It's a neutral and professional way to express an opinion or belief without stating it as a definite fact. Other similar options may be "deemed to be" or considered to be.

What's the difference between "thought to be" and "known to be"?

"Thought to be" indicates a belief or opinion that something is true, while "known to be" suggests that something has been definitively proven or established as fact. For example, "That building is "thought to be" haunted" implies a popular belief, whereas "That building is known to be the oldest in the city" implies a verifiable fact.