Cool MateAllegedly vs Reportedly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Allegedly
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
Reportedly
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1adverb
Most common: Allegedly
| Allegedly | Reportedly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈledʒɪdli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈledʒɪdli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈpɔːtɪdli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈpɔːrtɪdli/"]/ |
| Meaning | It is said that something is true, but it hasn't been proven. | It is said that something is true, but not confirmed. |
| Example | crimes allegedly committed during the war | The band have reportedly decided to split up. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | allegedly involved, allegedly committed, allegedly stated, allegedly seen, allegedly linked | reportedly confirmed, reportedly involved, reportedly stated |
| Antonyms | undeniably, certainly, definitely, unquestionably | unconfirmedly, anecdotally, allegedly not |
| Common mistakes | Using it in informal contexts where a more casual phrase would be better., Confusing it with 'allegation', which is a noun., Misplacing it in a sentence, often using it before the subject instead of before the verb. | Confused with 'reported' vs 'reportedly', Using it in informal settings where a simpler word would be better, Incorrectly placing it before the subject instead of the verb |
| Usage notes | Use 'allegedly' when reporting accusations or claims that are not confirmed. It's common in news articles but less so in casual conversations. | Use 'reportedly' to indicate that information comes from another source and may not be verified. It's more appropriate in formal contexts, like news articles, rather than casual conversation. |
Frequently asked questions: Allegedly vs Reportedly
What's the difference between Allegedly and Reportedly?
Allegedly: It is said that something is true, but it hasn't been proven. Reportedly: It is said that something is true, but not confirmed.
Which is more common: Allegedly and Reportedly?
Allegedly is the most common in everyday English.
Are Allegedly and Reportedly the same CEFR level?
Allegedly: C1, Reportedly: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Allegedly and Reportedly?
Allegedly: adverb, Reportedly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Allegedly: crimes allegedly committed during the war Reportedly: The band have reportedly decided to split up.
Can I use Allegedly and Reportedly interchangeably?
Not always. Allegedly and Reportedly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.