Have trouble believing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Have trouble believing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about something that has been said or presented. Example: "I have trouble believing that he would actually do something like that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Have trouble believing it?

Huffington Post

"I still have trouble believing the sequence of events".

The New Yorker

I still have trouble believing it did happen here.

The Guardian

I also have trouble believing he is wealthy.

The New Yorker

That's why I have trouble believing that is the plan.

The New York Times

But, as Murphy acknowledged on the floor of the Senate, we have trouble believing that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I have trouble believing the conversion to Obamanomics is coincidental.

The New Yorker

Look, let me tell you something that a lot of people have trouble believing.

The New York Times - Books

The political problem is that many Americans have trouble believing all this.

The Guardian

I have trouble believing that God is that merciful and just.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I had trouble believing this was possible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have trouble believing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the disbelief. Provide specific reasons or evidence if possible.

Common error

While common, overuse of "have trouble believing" can weaken your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "find it hard to believe" or "doubt" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have trouble believing" functions as a verbal expression indicating a state of doubt or disbelief. It suggests a difficulty in accepting something as true or likely. Ludwig examples show diverse contexts where this phrase is used to express skepticism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Academia

7%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have trouble believing" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to convey doubt or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across varied contexts, predominantly in news and media. While versatile, remember to provide context for your disbelief and consider using synonyms to avoid repetition. The phrase functions as a verbal expression, serving to communicate incredulity effectively. Given its prevalence in neutral sources, it is suitable for a range of communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Find it hard to believe

Focuses on the difficulty in accepting something as true.

Struggle to believe

Emphasizes the effort required to accept something.

Have difficulty believing

Slightly more formal way of expressing disbelief.

Can't believe

A more direct and common way of expressing disbelief.

Am skeptical of

Highlights doubt and questioning attitude.

Doubt

A concise expression of uncertainty.

Question

Implies a challenge to the validity of something.

Am dubious about

Expresses uncertainty or suspicion.

Am unconvinced

Highlights the lack of persuasion.

Refuse to believe

Indicates a firm rejection of a claim or idea.

FAQs

How to use "Have trouble believing" in a sentence?

"Have trouble believing" is used to express doubt or disbelief about something. For example, "I "have trouble believing" his excuse for being late again."

What can I say instead of "Have trouble believing"?

You can use alternatives such as "find it hard to believe", "struggle to believe", or simply "doubt".

Is it grammatically correct to say "Have trouble to believe"?

No, the correct phrasing is ""have trouble believing"". The gerund form ('believing') is required after "trouble" in this context.

What's the difference between "Have trouble believing" and "Find it hard to believe"?

While similar, ""have trouble believing"" suggests a general sense of disbelief, whereas "find it hard to believe" emphasizes the difficulty in accepting something, implying a greater effort to believe.