What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
allegedly
Example
He allegedly stole the money from the bank. [allegedly: adverb]
Example
The suspect is allegedly involved in a series of burglaries. [allegedly: adverb]
supposedly
Example
The movie is supposedly based on a true story. [supposedly: adverb]
Example
He supposedly has a lot of money, but I'm not sure if it's true. [supposedly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Supposedly is more commonly used than allegedly in everyday language. Supposedly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while allegedly is less common and is typically used in legal or news contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between allegedly and supposedly?
Allegedly is more formal than supposedly and is often used in legal or news contexts. Supposedly is more neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
