were believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were believed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing past beliefs or perceptions about a subject or situation. Example: "In ancient times, it was commonly thought that the stars were believed to influence human behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were believed.

The New York Times

Nine others were believed trapped.

The Guardian

All were believed to have drowned.

The New York Times

All were believed to be migrants.

The New York Times

None were believed to be American.

The New York Times

None were believed to have drowned.

The New York Times

All 118 aboard were believed dead.

The New York Times

All 10 aboard were believed killed.

The New York Times

It said "about 30 more people" were believed dead.

The New York Times

The two men were believed to be close to destitute.

The New York Times

In 1986, two herds were believed to be infected.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were believed", ensure the context clearly indicates who held the belief. This clarifies the source of the perception and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were believed" without specifying the timeframe or the group of people holding the belief. Lack of specificity can lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were believed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a particular belief was held by someone, although the actor may not be explicitly stated. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were believed" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to convey past beliefs or perceptions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is found across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who held the belief. While suitable for diverse registers, context dictates the appropriate level of formality. Consider related phrases like "were thought to be" or "were considered" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were thought to be

Emphasizes a cognitive process of thinking or considering something to be true in the past.

were considered

Highlights a judgment or evaluation made about something or someone in the past.

were deemed to be

Implies a more formal judgment or assessment than "were believed".

were understood to be

Focuses on a shared or common understanding of something in a past context.

were presumed to be

Indicates an assumption made based on available evidence, but without proof, in the past.

were rumored to be

Suggests that the belief was based on hearsay or unconfirmed reports.

were alleged to be

Implies a claim or accusation that hasn't been proven true.

were reported to be

Signifies that the information comes from a specific report or source.

were supposed to be

Indicates an expectation or obligation that existed in the past.

were assumed to be

Highlights a belief taken for granted without questioning in the past.

FAQs

How can I use "were believed" in a sentence?

You can use "were believed" to describe past assumptions or perceptions. For example, "In ancient times, stars "were believed" to influence human destiny".

What's a good alternative to "were believed"?

Alternatives include "were thought to be", "were considered", or "were understood to be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it necessary to specify who believed something when using "were believed"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the source of the belief adds clarity and strengthens the statement. For instance, "Scientists "were believed" the theory" is more informative than simply saying "It "were believed"".

What is the difference between "were believed" and "are believed"?

"Were believed" refers to a past belief, while "are believed" indicates a current belief. For example, "In the past, bloodletting "were believed" to cure diseases", but now, vaccinations "are believed" to prevent them.