were reported to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"were reported to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was reported as being true, but has not been confirmed. For example: "Reports of UFOs were reported to be increasing in the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Shots were reported to be fired.

The Guardian

Both Spaniards were reported to be in good health.

The Guardian

Sushi sales were reported to be up 343%.

The Guardian - Business

The rest of the casualties were reported to be Iraqis.

The New York Times

French energy groups were reported to be doing the same.

The Guardian

The injured were reported to be in serious condition.

The New York Times

Two of the crew were reported to be sick.

The Guardian

Fifteen of the dead were reported to be in Aleppo.

The Guardian

Lessons and behavior were reported to be excellent.

The New Yorker

All the climbers were reported to be safe.

The New York Times

Some were reported to be a hundred feet tall.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were reported to be" when you want to convey information that has been mentioned by a source, but without explicitly endorsing its accuracy. This is particularly useful in journalism or academic writing where objectivity is important.

Common error

Avoid using "were reported to be" excessively, as it can make your writing sound passive and vague. Whenever possible, identify the source of the report to add credibility and clarity. For example, instead of "The results were reported to be significant", write "The study reported significant results".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were reported to be" functions as a reporting verb construction in the passive voice. It serves to introduce information attributed to a source without necessarily endorsing its accuracy. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable structure in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Science

12%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were reported to be" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction used to relay information attributed to a source, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it serves as a neutral means of conveying information without necessarily vouching for its accuracy. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to avoid over-reliance on the passive voice and, where feasible, cite the original source for enhanced credibility. Related phrases like "were said to be" or "were believed to be" offer nuanced alternatives for expressing similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were said to be

Emphasizes the act of saying or stating something, often implying less formality than "reported".

were thought to be

Indicates a process of thinking or considering something to be true.

were believed to be

Indicates a widespread belief or assumption, which may or may not be accurate.

were claimed to be

Highlights the act of making a claim, often implying potential doubt or dispute.

were alleged to be

Indicates that a claim has been made without proof, often in a legal or controversial context.

were known to be

Suggests established knowledge or a well-known fact.

were considered to be

Suggests a formal evaluation or judgment.

were understood to be

Suggests a general understanding or consensus about a situation or fact.

were estimated to be

Implies that the information is based on calculations or approximations.

were rumored to be

Implies that the information is based on unofficial sources or gossip.

FAQs

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

You can use "were reported to be" to indicate that something has been stated or documented, but not necessarily verified. For example, "The missing documents "were reported to be" found in the suspect's car".

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "were said to be", "were alleged to be", or "were believed to be". Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance regarding the certainty and source of the information.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were reported to be"?

While "were reported to be" is inherently passive, you can sometimes rephrase the sentence in the active voice for clarity and impact. For example, instead of "The results "were reported to be" inconclusive", you might say "The researchers reported that the results were inconclusive".

What is the difference between "were reported to be" and "were confirmed to be"?

"Were reported to be" indicates that information has been conveyed but not necessarily verified, while "were confirmed to be" implies that the information has been verified as accurate. The latter carries a stronger sense of certainty.