thought to have

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thought to have" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that is believed to have occurred or existed in the past, but there isn't proof or absolute certainty. For example: "The ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, is thought to have had many influential students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hillary Clinton was thought to have won.

The Economist

He is thought to have visited Rome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All were thought to have been passengers.

Independent

She is thought to have committed suicide.

Independent

None were thought to have survived, though".

The New York Times

Some 100,000 are thought to have died.

The Economist

"Thought to have spent time in Pakistan".

The Guardian

Eleven people are thought to have died.

The Guardian

He is thought to have been suffocated.

The Guardian

Many are thought to have performed miracles.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are thought to have lost $100m in the looting.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thought to have" when you want to express an opinion or belief without stating it as a definitive fact. It's useful when direct evidence is lacking.

Common error

Avoid using "thought to have" repeatedly in formal academic papers or professional reports. Opt for stronger, more direct statements when evidence supports them. Vary your language to maintain credibility and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought to have" functions as an epistemic marker, indicating a degree of uncertainty or supposition. It is typically used to attribute a belief or opinion without asserting it as a definitive fact. As per Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thought to have" is a versatile epistemic marker used to express beliefs or suppositions without asserting them as definitive facts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. With examples spanning across news media, scientific literature, and encyclopedias, its usage is prevalent in both formal and informal contexts. While alternatives like "believed to have" and "considered to have" exist, "thought to have" maintains a neutral register and serves as a valuable tool for conveying information based on inference or indirect evidence. However, it's essential to avoid overuse in highly formal writing, opting for stronger statements when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believed to have

Emphasizes the belief aspect more strongly than the thought process.

considered to have

Suggests a more formal evaluation or judgment.

presumed to have

Indicates an assumption made in the absence of concrete evidence.

assumed to have

Similar to 'presumed', but can also imply a lack of questioning.

estimated to have

Implies a calculation or approximation.

suspected to have

Suggests a negative connotation, often related to wrongdoing.

understood to have

Indicates a common knowledge or understanding.

reported to have

Highlights that the information comes from reports or accounts.

purported to have

Suggests the information might be questionable or unverified.

rumored to have

Indicates that the information is based on rumors and may not be true.

FAQs

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

Use "thought to have" to indicate a belief or supposition about something that happened or existed in the past, without definitive proof. For example, "The artifact is thought to have originated from the Bronze Age".

What are some alternatives to "thought to have"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "believed to have", "considered to have", or "presumed to have".

Is "thought to have" formal or informal?

"Thought to have" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but in highly formal or scientific writing, ensure it aligns with the required level of certainty. Stronger verbs may be preferred if conclusive evidence exists.

What's the difference between "thought to have" and "believed to have"?

While similar, "believed to have" often suggests a stronger conviction or wider acceptance than "thought to have". The latter might imply a more individual or tentative assessment.