were believed to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were believed to" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase typically appears in the perfect tense and is used when talking about something that might have happened in the past. For example, "The ancient Greeks were believed to have worshipped several gods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

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

All were believed to be conspiring with the Colombians.

The Guardian

Some species were believed to be endangered, others threatened.

The New Yorker

Most of them were believed to be firefighters.

The New York Times

None were believed to have life-threatening injuries.

The New York Times

The others were believed to be those of airmen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were believed to", ensure the source of the belief is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify who held the belief if it's not a universally accepted fact.

Common error

Avoid using "were believed to" when the belief is actually a confirmed fact. This phrase is most effective when conveying uncertainty or a past perspective that may no longer be accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were believed to" functions as a passive construction indicating a state of previously held belief. This implies that the subject of the sentence was the object of someone's or a group's belief. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in historical contexts and uncertain scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis shows that "were believed to" is a versatile and commonly used phrase. It serves to express past beliefs, often those that are no longer definitively true. It's considered grammatically correct and appears across a range of sources, particularly in news, science, and general knowledge contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is helpful for indicating uncertainty or conveying historical perspectives. Remember to clarify the source of the belief for improved clarity and avoid using it when referring to established facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were thought to be

Replaces "believed" with a direct synonym, focusing on the act of thinking rather than believing.

were considered to be

Emphasizes a more formal assessment or judgment.

were reputed to be

Suggests the belief is based on hearsay or widespread opinion, possibly without direct evidence.

were understood to be

Indicates a shared understanding or common knowledge about something.

were presumed to be

Highlights an assumption made in the absence of concrete proof.

were assumed to be

Similar to 'presumed,' but can imply a less formal or rigorous basis for the assumption.

were deemed to be

Suggests an official or authoritative judgment has been made.

were held to be

Implies a strong conviction or adherence to a belief.

were rumored to be

Indicates the information is circulating as a rumor and may not be reliable.

were speculated to be

Highlights that the information is based on conjecture or guesswork.

FAQs

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

You can use "were believed to" to indicate a past belief that may or may not be true now. For example, "The canals of Mars "were believed to be" constructed by an ancient civilization".

What are some alternatives to "were believed to"?

Some alternatives to "were believed to" include "were thought to be", "were considered to be", or "were reputed to be", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "were believed to be" or "was believed to be"?

"Were believed to be" is used with plural subjects, while "was believed to be" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The rumors "were believed to be" false" versus "The rumor "was believed to be" false".

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

"Were believed to" indicates a belief held in the past, while "are believed to" indicates a belief that is currently held. The choice depends on whether the belief is still current or is historical.