thought to inform

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thought to inform" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that information is being shared as part of a larger thought or opinion. For example: The survey results were thought to inform future decision making.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It appears no one in the government thought to inform the telecom companies.

The Guardian - Sport

Is it really better for us to think that things have gone so far with the post-9/11 idea that any spying that can be done should be done and that nobody thought to inform President Obama about tapping the phone of one of the most important American allies?

The New York Times

Yet, the two theories that are thought to inform the development and underpin the philosophy behind CCMs – Integrated Care and Quality Management – have tended to take a more structural or systems approach to the delivery of care [ 9].

BMC Family Practice

Condition-dependent traits are thought to inform prospective mates or competitors of an individual's ability to acquire, assimilate, and/or spend key resources, processes that should be linked to fitness.

Evolutionary Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Nor did the court clerk think to inform the man whose life was at stake.

The New York Times

Grid cells live in the entorhinal cortex, a brain region associated with navigation and memory, and their firing rates are thought to help inform us how far we have travelled and the path we have taken.

The Guardian

The subpoena is the first indication that a criminal investigation is under way into the disappearance of at least nine people in Northern Ireland during the early 1970s who were thought to have informed for British authorities about the activities of republicans who were working to end British rule.

The New York Times

They also warned their confederates when an inmate was thought to be trying to inform prison authorities of the illegal activities.

Huffington Post

Senator Talent and I want to hear what people have to think, to help inform our work on the Commission and our advocacy to help protect the United States from the threat of terrorism.

Huffington Post

Importantly, information flow through these systems is thought to be continually informed about the expected values of goals via dopamine signaling from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and/or the substantia nigra (SN; Horvitz, 2002; Nicola et al., 2004; Schultz, 2010).

Hippocampus

In general, GPs are thought to be poorly informed about the nature and risk of late complications, especially delayed adverse effects of therapies [ 10, 11], and they are not familiar with the psychological and social aspects of cancer patients [ 9].

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thought to inform", ensure that the subject being informed is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "thought to inform" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "helped to explain" or "gave insight to" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought to inform" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing the intended purpose or perceived role of something in providing information or shaping understanding. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a belief about the influence of something on a subject.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thought to inform" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase that suggests a belief or expectation that something will provide information or influence understanding. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media, and scientific contexts. It leans towards a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for professional or academic writing but less common in casual conversation. To ensure clarity, always specify what is being informed. When writing, consider simpler alternatives in informal settings and remember that overuse can make writing sound stilted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believed to guide

Focuses on the belief aspect rather than the initial thought process.

understood to shape

Focuses on the understanding of how something influences development.

intended to enlighten

Emphasizes the intention to provide clarity or understanding.

assumed to influence

Highlights the assumption of a certain effect or impact.

presumed to clarify

Highlights the presumption of making something easier to understand.

designed to educate

Highlights the purposeful creation of something with the goal of imparting knowledge.

expected to direct

Emphasizes the anticipation of something guiding or controlling a process.

perceived to mold

Focuses on the perception of something shaping or forming something else.

meant to advise

Shifts the focus to providing counsel or recommendations.

considered to affect

Focuses on the deliberation of something having an impact on something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "thought to inform" to indicate that a particular piece of information or idea is believed to influence or shape something. For instance, "The data collected was thought to inform future policies".

What are some alternatives to "thought to inform"?

Alternatives include phrases like "believed to guide", "intended to enlighten", or "designed to educate", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "thought to inform" formal or informal?

"Thought to inform" leans towards a more formal register. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "helped explain" or "gave insight" instead.

What's the difference between "thought to inform" and "used to inform"?

"Thought to inform" suggests a belief or expectation that something will provide information. "Used to inform" indicates that something was actively employed for informational purposes. The former is prospective, while the latter is retrospective.