thought to know

USAGE SUMMARY

"thought to know" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is believed or assumed to have knowledge or understanding of something. It implies that there is a prevailing belief or perception about the person's knowledge, rather than a certain fact. Example: "The professor was thought to know everything about ancient Greek history, but he surprised everyone when he admitted he had never studied it in depth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

This is impossible, since it would require knowing the object without a representation (when, for Classical thought, to know is to represent).

SEP

He had also been agent to the Labour MP, Jack McCann, and was thought to know of his cancer.

Independent

You don't need to be an oncologist, I'd have thought, to know there is nothing very cute or cartoonish about cancer.

Independent

A digest of last week's prophetic and interpretive thought To know: Osama bin Laden's personal journals reveal he remained fixated on killing Americans after 9/11.

The New Yorker

Like many other "experts" (auto mechanics and stockbrokers come to mind), a real-estate agent is thought to know his field far better than a lay person.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hundreds of Iraqi scientists are thought to know about programs to develop biological, chemical or nuclear weapons, and interviewing them is considered vital to uncovering Iraq's hidden arms.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

See things as they are, not by what you already think to know about them.

WikiHow

Too much about Powell was already known, or thought to be known.

The New York Times - Books

None of the suspects were thought to be known to the McCann family.

Independent

Constraints are used to capture what is thought to be known about the nonlinearity without needing to specify a particular law.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

This new species is thought to be known only on Mussau and Manus islands.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "thought to know" with a more precise alternative, such as "believed to know" or "presumed to know", if the specific nuance of your intended meaning requires it.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "thought to know". Active voice often creates more direct and engaging sentences. For instance, instead of "He was thought to know the answer", consider "People believed he knew the answer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thought to know" functions as a passive construction indicating a belief or assumption about someone's knowledge. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests a prevailing opinion rather than a definitive fact. Examples show its usage across various contexts, highlighting its role in conveying perceived expertise or information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thought to know" serves as a common linguistic tool for expressing a belief or assumption about someone's knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this construction carries a neutral tone, adaptable to various writing styles. While phrases like "believed to know" or "assumed to know" offer similar meanings, the specific context dictates the most appropriate choice. When employing "thought to know", clarity is key; ensure the context identifies who is doing the thinking. Avoid overusing the passive voice, and actively craft sentences to increase engagement. By understanding these nuances, writers can wield "thought to know" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believed to know

Replaces "thought" with "believed", emphasizing a held belief.

presumed to know

Substitutes "thought" with "presumed", suggesting an assumption based on probability.

assumed to know

Uses "assumed" instead of "thought", indicating taking something for granted.

understood to know

Replaces "thought" with "understood", implying a common agreement or consensus.

supposed to know

Employs "supposed" instead of "thought", suggesting an expectation of knowledge.

suspected to know

Uses "suspected" to imply a doubt or suspicion about someone's knowledge.

reputed to know

Substitutes "thought" with "reputed", indicating knowledge based on reputation or hearsay.

considered to know

Replaces "thought" with "considered", showing a more deliberate assessment.

deemed to know

Uses "deemed" to suggest a formal or official judgment of knowledge.

imagined to know

Substitutes "thought" with "imagined", which can imply a speculative or unfounded belief.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "thought to know" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "believed to know", "presumed to know", or "it was understood that they knew". These alternatives convey a similar meaning with a more elevated style. For example, instead of "He was thought to know the location", you could say "It was believed that he knew the location".

What's a less formal way to say "thought to know"?

In less formal contexts, you can use phrases like "people figured they knew", "suspected they knew", or "assumed they knew". For example, rather than "She was thought to know the code", try "People figured she knew the code".

How do I use "thought to know" in a sentence?

"Thought to know" typically appears in passive constructions to indicate a prevailing belief or assumption about someone's knowledge. For instance: "The scientist was thought to know the solution to the problem". Ensure the context clarifies who holds this belief.

Which is correct, "thought to know" or "thought of knowing"?

"Thought to know" is generally used to express that someone is believed to have knowledge. "Thought of knowing", while grammatically possible, has a different meaning, implying the idea or possibility of knowing something. The choice depends on your intended meaning. For example, I "thought of knowing" is a different usage altogether and it's referring to an idea of the action of knowing, not that someone is thought to possess the actual knowledge.