ENGLISH
REFERENCE

allegedly

adv. sent.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //əˈɫɛdʒədɫi// UK //ɐlˈɛdʒɪdli// al·leged·ly

adv. used to say that something is claimed to be true, but it has not been proven yet. You use this when you want to avoid saying for sure that someone did something wrong.

adv. according to what is claimed or asserted, though without proof. Used to report a statement or accusation while maintaining a neutral or cautious stance regarding its veracity.


SIMPLE

The man allegedly stole the car from the parking lot.

CONTEXTUAL

The company allegedly ignored safety warnings for years before the accident occurred, though the investigation is still ongoing.

COMPLEX

While the suspect was allegedly seen fleeing the scene, the defense argued that the low lighting made any positive identification unreliable at best.

Origin

From alleged + -ly.

Usage

Sentence adverb — often placed before the main verb or at the beginning of a clause to qualify the entire statement.

Pitfall

He is allegedly to be the thiefHe is alleged to be the thiefLearners confuse the adverb 'allegedly' with the passive verb form 'is alleged to'.

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