What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reported
Example
The newspaper reported that the company is going bankrupt. [reported: verb]
Example
The police reported that there was a robbery at the bank. [reported: past tense]
alleged
Example
The alleged thief was caught on camera stealing from the store. [alleged: adjective]
Example
The company is facing allegations of fraud and corruption. [allegations: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reported is more commonly used than alleged in everyday language, especially in news or media reporting. Alleged is more commonly used in legal or formal contexts when referring to unproven claims or accusations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reported and alleged?
Alleged is more formal than reported and is often used in legal or official contexts. Reported is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.