was believed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was believed to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about beliefs or opinions from the past. For example: The town's origins, which were shrouded in mystery, were believed to date back to the tenth century.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She was believed to be 97.

The New York Times

It was believed to be about 41.

The New York Times - Sports

He was believed to be 102.

The New York Times

(Leon Trotsky was believed to have rented it).

The New York Times - Arts

He was believed to be about 60.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Giaccone was believed to wear glasses.

The New York Times

She was believed to be around 82.

The New York Times - Arts

She was believed to be 86.

The New York Times - Arts

He was believed to live in Jerusalem.

The New York Times

He was believed to have been sectioned.

The Guardian

Who was believed to be inside?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was believed to" when presenting information that relies on past assumptions or beliefs, especially when the current validity is uncertain or disproven. It's useful for reporting historical perspectives.

Common error

Avoid using "was believed to" when presenting established facts. Opt for more assertive language to convey confidence in the information's accuracy. If something is a known fact just present it as it is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was believed to" functions as a passive construction used to report a belief or opinion held by a group or individual in the past. Ludwig examples show its usage in conveying historical information, uncertain claims, or perspectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was believed to" is a common passive construction used to report past beliefs or assumptions, without necessarily endorsing them. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overuse in factual contexts and consider alternatives like "was thought to" or "was considered to be" for nuanced expression. Remember to employ it when attributing past viewpoints or unsubstantiated claims where the current accuracy is uncertain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was thought to

Expresses a similar level of uncertainty, focusing on a general opinion.

was considered to be

Indicates a more formal assessment or evaluation.

was regarded as

Highlights a specific viewpoint or perception.

was deemed to be

Suggests a judgment or official decision.

was understood to

Implies a shared or common knowledge.

was presumed to

Conveys an assumption based on available evidence.

was rumored to

Indicates information based on hearsay or unconfirmed reports.

was alleged to

Highlights an accusation or claim that is not yet proven.

was speculated to

Refers to conjecture or guesswork about a situation.

it was the general consensus that

Emphasizes a widespread agreement or shared opinion.

FAQs

How can I use "was believed to" in a sentence?

Use "was believed to" to express a past belief that may or may not be true now. For example, "The Earth /s/was+believed+to be flat in ancient times".

What's a more formal way to say "was believed to"?

More formal alternatives include "/s/was+considered+to+be", "/s/was+regarded+as", or "/s/was+deemed+to+be", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

When should I avoid using "was believed to"?

Avoid using "was believed to" when presenting well-established facts or current scientific consensus. Use it only when referring to past beliefs or assumptions.

What is the difference between "was believed to" and "was thought to"?

"Was believed to" implies a stronger degree of conviction or acceptance than "/s/was+thought+to", which suggests a more casual or tentative opinion.