were believed to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were believed to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing perceptions or assumptions about something in the past. Example: "The ancient ruins were believed to be the remnants of a lost civilization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Human beings were believed to be spirits trapped in physical bodies.

Britannica

All were believed to be migrants.

The New York Times

None were believed to be American.

The New York Times

Three of the others were believed to be Britons.

The New York Times

Many more were believed to be walking wounded.

The Guardian

At least 50,000 were believed to be injured.

The Guardian

They were believed to be the biggest in decades.

The New York Times

The surviving kidnappers were believed to be under arrest.

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

Some species were believed to be endangered, others threatened.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were believed to be", ensure the context clearly indicates who held the belief and when. Providing this context enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "were believed to be" without specifying who held the belief. Saying "unicorns were believed to be real" is less effective than "ancient Greeks were believed to be real".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were believed to be" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject to a description or state of being that was accepted as true at some point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were believed to be" is a versatile expression used to describe past assumptions or convictions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly employed across diverse contexts such as news reports, scientific articles, and encyclopedic entries. While generally neutral in register, its formality can shift based on the source. To ensure clarity and impact, it's important to specify who held the belief and when. Alternatives include "were considered to be" and "were thought to be", offering subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were considered to be

Emphasizes a formal evaluation or judgment made in the past.

were thought to be

Indicates a past idea or opinion held by someone.

were regarded as

Highlights a specific way something was viewed or esteemed.

were deemed to be

Suggests a more official or authoritative assessment.

were assumed to be

Focuses on an earlier presumption, potentially without concrete evidence.

were presumed to be

Similar to 'assumed', but often implies a legal or procedural context.

were understood to be

Highlights an earlier shared knowledge or common perception.

were conceived as

Emphasizes how something was originally envisioned or created.

were rumored to be

Indicates that the information was based on hearsay and not necessarily factual.

were alleged to be

Suggests the information is based on an accusation or claim that has not been proven.

FAQs

What does "were believed to be" mean?

The phrase "were believed to be" indicates that something was thought to be true or factual in the past, although it may not necessarily be the case now.

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

You can use "were believed to be" to describe past perceptions or assumptions, such as "The pyramids "were believed to be" tombs for pharaohs".

What's the difference between "were believed to be" and "were thought to be"?

While similar, "were believed to be" implies a stronger conviction or wider acceptance than "were thought to be". You could consider "were considered to be" as another alternative.

Are there formal alternatives to "were believed to be"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "were considered to be", "were deemed to be", or "were regarded as", each carrying a slightly different nuance depending on the context.