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REFERENCE

allegedly

adv.
US //əˈɫɛdʒədɫi// UK //ɐlˈɛdʒɪdli// al·leged·ly
  1. 1 reportedly but unproven (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Academic Law

    used to say that something is claimed to be true, even though there is no proof yet.

    used to convey that a statement is an assertion rather than a verified fact, often to avoid libel or to signal skepticism.

    Example

    The man allegedly stole the car, but the police are still looking for evidence.

    Example

    The executive allegedly diverted millions in company funds to offshore accounts, though his legal team maintains that the transactions were entirely transparent.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the verb it modifies or at the beginning of a sentence to qualify the entire statement.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a 'shield' word used by journalists and lawyers to talk about crimes before a court has reached a verdict.
    Pitfall
    He allegedly to have stolen the car.
    He allegedly stole the car.

    Allegedly is an adverb and should modify the verb directly; it does not function like 'is alleged to'.

Origin

From alleged + -ly.

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