grammar · neutral
be believed to + V
used when people generally think something is true (stronger belief than mere rumor)
Examples
“The painting is believed to date from the 18th century.”
“The company is believed to be the largest employer in the region.”
“The treasure is believed to lie beneath the old manor.”
Band 8 sentence
“The artifact is widely believed to have originated from a lost civilisation, based on stylistic analysis.”
Collocations
- is widely believed to + V
- was generally believed to + V
Common mistakes
The ruins believed to be ancient.→The ruins are believed to be ancient.
Say it for a higher band
5people think + clause→6it is thought that + clause→7+be believed to + V
Synonyms
be thought to + V
Easily confused
be thought to + V
“The species is thought to have migrated north.”
be known to + V
“The island is known to host rare bird species.”
Related words
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In The passive
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