Word: alleged

Associations

The word 'alleged' means something that is claimed or supposed to be true, but without proof. It is often used when something is reported as a fact but has not been confirmed.

• The suspect was alleged to have committed the crime. This means that someone claims the suspect did it, but it's not proven yet.
• She made an alleged statement about the incident. This indicates that her statement is reported or claimed but not verified.
• The alleged fraud is being investigated by the authorities. Here, it suggests that the fraud is claimed, but further investigation is needed to know if it is true.

The synonym 'claimed' can be used, but 'claimed' often implies a stronger assertion made by the person. 'Alleged' suggests that the statement is still under scrutiny or requires proof.

Substitution

Instead of 'alleged', you could use:

• Supposed: This word carries a similar meaning but can imply a bit more certainty that something is believed.
• Claimed: This suggests that someone has stated something as true, but might not carry the same level of doubt as 'alleged'.
• Reported: This can mean something has been communicated or told, but doesn't imply whether it's true or false.

Deconstruction

The word 'alleged' comes from the Latin root 'allegare', which means "to declare." It is formed with the prefix 'al-' and the root 'leg' meaning to speak or to read. There is no suffix in this case.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation where information was reported as 'alleged'? How did you feel about it?
• Why do you think it’s important to use the word 'alleged' in news reports or legal matters?
• Have you ever heard a claim that turned out to be false? How did that affect your view of the information presented?