was initially believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was initially believed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a belief or assumption that was held at the beginning of a situation or before new information emerged. Example: "The theory was initially believed to be accurate until new evidence contradicted it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kerry's visit, devoted to securing Davis's release, was initially believed to have been a failure.

The Guardian

The Thai Airways International plane exploded at an airport in Bangkok, in what was initially believed to be sabotage.

The New York Times

The future of Guus Hiddink, who was initially believed to the Abramovich's preferred choice to replace Ancelotti, is uncertain.

The Guardian - Sport

It was initially believed to have come from a mortar or rocket attack from outside the compound.

The New York Times

Smith, who was initially believed to have injured his hamstring, underwent a magnetic resonance imaging examination on Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

Although Gerő was initially believed to have been killed by rebels in Budapest, he escaped into exile in Moscow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was initially believed that the tax relief of an employee's pension contributions would be based on today's 40% top rate of tax.

The Guardian - Money

Rodriguez was initially believed to want to achieve those goals in New York with the Mets after having played his first six years with Seattle.

The New York Times - Sports

It included a new analysis of the blood found on the silencer that was initially believed to be that of Sheila Caffell.

The Guardian

The safeguards have not been applied as widely as it was initially believed they would be, and there are considerable regional variations in their use.

The Guardian

The equestrian venue is on the site of a large military complex, so it was initially believed the bullet may have come from an army shooting range.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was initially believed" to introduce a contrast between a previous understanding and a current one, adding depth and context to your narrative.

Common error

Be mindful of overuse; repeatedly starting sentences with "it was initially believed" can become monotonous. Vary sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was initially believed" functions as a transitional phrase used to introduce a superseded idea or understanding. It sets up a contrast between a previous assumption and a more current, accurate perspective. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was initially believed" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile phrase used to introduce a contrast between a past understanding and a present one. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts. The phrase is commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, indicating its widespread applicability. When using the phrase, remember to avoid overuse and vary your sentence structure. Consider alternatives like "was previously believed" or "was initially thought" for a change of pace. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and engagingly use "was initially believed" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was initially perceived

Emphasizes the subjective nature of the initial understanding, focusing on how something was viewed or understood.

was initially thought

A more direct and straightforward alternative, indicating a preliminary idea or opinion.

was initially viewed

Similar to "was initially perceived" but focuses on how something was regarded or considered.

was initially considered

Highlights that something was taken into account or assessed at first.

was earlier believed

Indicates a belief held at an earlier time, stressing the temporal aspect of the change in understanding.

was previously believed

Similar to "was earlier believed" but emphasizes that the belief was held at some point in the past.

was formerly believed

Indicates a belief that was once held in the past, emphasizing that it is no longer the case.

was initially preferred

Highlights a prior preference or choice that was later superseded by a different option.

was initially suggested

Focuses on the origin of the belief, highlighting that it was proposed or put forward at the beginning.

was initially imagined

Implies a creative or speculative element to the initial belief, as though it was based on imagination or conjecture.

FAQs

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

Use "was initially believed" to introduce a concept, theory, or fact that people previously accepted as true but has since been proven wrong or modified. For example, "It "was initially believed" that the Earth was flat, but later scientific evidence proved otherwise."

What phrases are similar to "was initially believed"?

Similar phrases include "was initially thought", "was previously believed", and "was earlier believed". These phrases all indicate a prior understanding that has changed.

Which is correct, "was initially believed" or "is initially believed"?

"Was initially believed" refers to a belief held in the past. "Is initially believed" is less common but could be used to describe a current, preliminary belief that might change. "Was initially believed" is generally preferred when contrasting past and present understandings.

What’s the difference between "was initially believed" and "is now known"?

"Was initially believed" introduces a past belief. "Is now known" presents the current understanding. Using both together effectively contrasts the old and new information, for example: "It "was initially believed" that the universe was static, but it "is now known" to be expanding."