Cool MateReportedly vs Supposedly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Reportedly
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1adverb
Supposedly
Top 3,000 (common)C1adverb
Most common: Supposedly
| Reportedly | Supposedly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈpɔːtɪdli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈpɔːrtɪdli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈpəʊzɪdli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈpəʊzɪdli/"]/ |
| Meaning | It is said that something is true, but not confirmed. | Something is believed to be true, but it may not be. |
| Example | The band have reportedly decided to split up. | The novel is supposedly based on a true story. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | reportedly confirmed, reportedly involved, reportedly stated | supposedly true, supposedly said, supposedly happening, supposedly planned, supposedly proven |
| Antonyms | unconfirmedly, anecdotally, allegedly not | actually, definitely, certainly |
| Common mistakes | 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 | 'Supposedly' vs 'supposably' confusion., Using 'supposedly' in overly formal contexts., Misplacing 'supposedly' within a sentence. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Use 'supposedly' when describing something that is commonly accepted but may not be true. It's neutral and generally suitable in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid in informal conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Reportedly vs Supposedly
What's the difference between Reportedly and Supposedly?
Reportedly: It is said that something is true, but not confirmed. Supposedly: Something is believed to be true, but it may not be.
Which is more common: Reportedly and Supposedly?
Supposedly is the most common in everyday English.
Are Reportedly and Supposedly the same CEFR level?
Reportedly: C1, Supposedly: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Reportedly and Supposedly?
Reportedly: adverb, Supposedly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Reportedly: The band have reportedly decided to split up. Supposedly: The novel is supposedly based on a true story.
Can I use Reportedly and Supposedly interchangeably?
Not always. Reportedly and Supposedly 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.