What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reportedly
Example
Reportedly, the new restaurant has the best pizza in town. [reportedly: adverb]
Example
The company reportedly plans to lay off several employees next month. [reportedly: adverb]
supposedly
Example
Supposedly, the movie is based on a true story, but I'm not sure I believe it. [supposedly: adverb]
Example
The product supposedly helps you lose weight without exercise, but I'm skeptical. [supposedly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reportedly is more commonly used than supposedly in news articles or reporting, while supposedly is more commonly used in everyday conversation. Both words are less common in formal writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reportedly and supposedly?
Both reportedly and supposedly are considered formal words and are not commonly used in informal speech. However, reportedly is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels, while supposedly is more commonly used in casual conversation.
