were thought to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"were thought to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that a particular opinion or idea was held by a group of people in the past. For example, "In the early 20th century, women were thought to be less capable than men."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Volcanoes were thought to be involved.

Independent

Most of dead and injured were thought to be Mozambican.

The New York Times

Mr. Sankoh's loyalists were thought to be advancing toward Freetown.

The New York Times

Around 400 passengers were thought to be on board.

The Guardian

They were thought to be headed to nearby Hart Island.

The New York Times

Women in general were thought to be more conservative.

The New Yorker

Salahuddin and Nahidian were thought to be the ringleaders.

The New Yorker

(They were thought to be useful for picking up garbage).

The New York Times

Three others were thought to be trapped in rubble.

The New York Times

However, station facilities were thought to be improving.

The Guardian

None of the injuries were thought to be serious.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were thought to be" to indicate a past belief or assumption that may or may not be true today. Be sure to provide context so the reader understands who held this belief.

Common error

Avoid using "were thought to be" without specifying who held the belief. Ensure clarity by identifying the source of the opinion or assumption to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were thought to be" functions as a passive construction used to express a past belief, assumption, or opinion. Ludwig's examples show it commonly appears when discussing historical perspectives or outdated ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were thought to be" is a versatile phrase used to express past beliefs or assumptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, especially in news and scientific writing. The phrase indicates a past perspective that may or may not align with current understanding, which makes it useful for discussing historical views or evolving knowledge. Remember to specify who held the belief to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity in your writing. Alternatives such as ""were believed to be"" or ""were considered to be"" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were considered to be

Emphasizes a formal judgment or evaluation made in the past.

were believed to be

Highlights a strong conviction or faith in a past assumption.

were assumed to be

Suggests a presumption made without concrete evidence.

were understood to be

Focuses on a shared comprehension or interpretation in the past.

were deemed to be

Implies an official or authoritative decision.

were regarded as

Indicates a general opinion or perspective held by many.

were presumed to be

Similar to 'assumed', but often used in legal or formal contexts.

were supposed to be

Suggests an expectation or obligation that was not necessarily accurate.

were rumored to be

Highlights information based on hearsay or unconfirmed reports.

were estimated to be

Indicates an approximate calculation or judgment.

FAQs

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

You can use "were thought to be" to express a past belief or opinion, such as "These chemicals "were thought to be" inert and harmless".

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

Alternatives include "were believed to be", "were considered to be", or "were assumed to be", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "were thought to be" formal or informal?

"Were thought to be" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it often appears in more neutral or academic writing.

How does "were thought to be" differ from "are thought to be"?

"Were thought to be" indicates a past belief, while "are thought to be" suggests a current belief. The choice depends on whether the belief is still held.