was reported to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was reported to be" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that has been reported to be true by a reliable source. For example: "The cause of the accident was reported to be a faulty brake system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The price was reported to be $10.

The New York Times

He was reported to be 69.

The New York Times

The turnout was reported to be 51.6%.

The Guardian

The crew was reported to be safe.

The New York Times

The mosque was reported to be radical.

The Guardian

Backroom lobbying was reported to be intense.

The New York Times

He was reported to be distraught.

The New York Times

She was reported to be staying with friends there.

The New York Times

(Jonathan Pryce was reported to be starring as George).

The New York Times

More challenging weather was reported to be on the way.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A third militant was reported to be a Briton.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was reported to be" when you want to convey information that comes from a source you consider reliable but cannot personally verify. This phrase adds a layer of objectivity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was reported to be" excessively, as it can make your writing sound passive and less engaging. Consider rephrasing the sentence to use an active voice when possible to create a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was reported to be" serves as a passive reporting verb phrase. It's used to indicate that information is being relayed from an external source, without necessarily confirming its accuracy. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase indicates that something has been mentioned or stated by a source deemed reliable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was reported to be" is a very common phrase used to relay information from an external source, adding a layer of objectivity to the writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general acceptance. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts and exhibits a neutral register. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid passive voice overuse, and always ensure the source you are referencing is reliable. Consider alternatives like "was said to be" or "was alleged to be" for nuanced contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was said to be

Replaces "reported" with "said", offering a more informal and general way of indicating a source.

was alleged to be

Substitutes "reported" with "alleged", suggesting the information is unproven and potentially disputed.

was believed to be

Changes "reported" to "believed", highlighting subjective opinion rather than factual reporting.

was rumored to be

Replaces "reported" with "rumored", indicating a less reliable or official source.

was deemed to be

Indicates a formal assessment or judgment was made.

was described as

Shifts the focus to the description provided by a source.

was understood to be

Replaces "reported" with "understood", emphasizing a common belief or assumption.

was considered to be

Focuses on evaluation or judgment rather than simple reporting.

was known to be

Emphasizes established knowledge rather than recent reporting.

was identified as

Changes the structure to actively identifying something instead of passively reporting.

FAQs

How can I use "was reported to be" in a sentence?

Use "was reported to be" to indicate that information comes from an external source. For example, "The company's profits "was reported to be" higher than expected."

What are some alternatives to "was reported to be"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was said to be", "was alleged to be", or "was believed to be" as alternatives to "was reported to be".

When is it appropriate to use "was reported to be" instead of "is"?

Use "was reported to be" when you are relaying information from a source and cannot personally vouch for its accuracy. If you have confirmed the information yourself, it's more appropriate to use "is".

What does it mean when something "was reported to be" a certain way?

It means that according to some source, it is believed to be that way. It doesn't automatically make it true, but it means it should be taken seriously.