was suspected of

USAGE SUMMARY

"was suspected of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is thought to have done something wrong or illegal. For example: John was suspected of participating in a robbery, so the police put out an all-points bulletin.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Sudanese government was suspected of complicity.

The Economist

She was suspected of underage drinking.

The Washington Post

He was suspected of running a black market in gasoline.

Cornell University

He was suspected of leaking secrets to Japanese banks.

The New York Times

He said the cleric was suspected of "inciting hatred".

The Guardian

Another was suspected of being a Russian agent himself.

The New York Times

Tiberius was suspected of having ordered their deaths.

Britannica

Suddenly, every Haitian was suspected of having AIDS.

The New Yorker

He was suspected of conspiracy and was tortured.

The Guardian - Books

A Sikh separatist group was suspected of the attack.

The New York Times

The man was suspected of identifying local protesters for arrest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "was suspected of", provide context about what the person was suspected of doing to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was suspected of" as a definitive statement of guilt. The phrase indicates suspicion, not confirmed wrongdoing. Always maintain a neutral tone and avoid making unsubstantiated claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was suspected of" functions as a passive construction indicating that an individual or entity was the object of suspicion regarding a particular action or involvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase correctly indicates someone being thought of as having done something wrong or illegal. It suggests a state of being under suspicion, rather than a confirmed fact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was suspected of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to indicate that an individual or entity was under suspicion for a particular action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it correctly conveys that someone is thought to have done something wrong or illegal without stating it as a proven fact. Predominantly found in news and media, but also common in academic and encyclopedic contexts, this phrase maintains a neutral register and serves to report on suspicions, allegations, or ongoing investigations. Remember to use this phrase to accurately express suspicion, avoiding any definitive claims of guilt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was suspected to be

Replaces "of" with "to be", focusing on the suspected identity or nature of something.

was thought to be

Emphasizes belief or opinion about someone's involvement.

was believed to be

Indicates a stronger level of general acceptance or conviction.

came under suspicion for

Shifts the focus to the act of becoming suspected, rather than the state.

faced allegations of

Highlights the formal accusation aspect, often in legal contexts.

was rumored to have

Implies that the suspicion is based on informal sources or gossip.

was investigated for

Focuses on the formal inquiry into potential wrongdoing.

was a person of interest in

Indicates a less accusatory, more investigative status.

was looked at in connection with

A more neutral way of indicating potential involvement.

had been flagged as a possible

Suggests a preliminary stage of suspicion or monitoring.

FAQs

How do I use "was suspected of" in a sentence?

Use "was suspected of" to indicate that someone was believed to have committed an action, often illegal or unethical, but it has not been proven. For example: "He "was suspected of" fraud but never charged."

What are some alternatives to "was suspected of"?

Alternatives include "was believed to be", "was thought to be", or "came under suspicion for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "was suspected of" in formal writing?

Yes, "was suspected of" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reports, legal documents, or academic papers, as long as it's used accurately and responsibly to reflect suspicion, not guilt.

What's the difference between "was suspected of" and "was accused of"?

"Was suspected of" implies a belief or hunch that someone committed an act, while "was accused of" indicates a formal charge or allegation has been made. Accusation is a more formal and direct claim than suspicion.