I previously believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I previously believed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when reflecting on a past belief that has since changed or been reconsidered. Example: "I previously believed that all cats were aloof, but I've come to realize that many are quite affectionate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I previously believed that putting me in an adult psychiatric ward when I was 16 was the act of an unenlightened, befuddled and frankly barking mad health system.

The Guardian - Opinion

I stand by that view, but after the finale I think the creators may have nursed a little more sympathy for Team Walt's perspective than I previously believed.

The New York Times

And this is a very long-winded way to say that I previously believed that one had to go to the ends of the earth (or at least to the ends of Manhattan, to Russ and Daughters or Barney Greengrass) to acquire really good smoked whitefish that isn't mushed and mayonnaised beyond recognition, on an everything bagel.

The New Yorker

Thus, since I previously believed George to be a mass murderer, it follows from Recovery that I cannot any longer believe him to be a shoplifter without believing him to be a mass murderer.

SEP

Anyways, I'll keep you posted with updates as the day goes on, but for the time being I would like to officially declare all denigrators of Vegemite to be culinary baby-men and the country of Australia to be slightly less abominable than I previously believed.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A weekly rake through the mind taught me it was not as accurate a processor as I had previously believed, as well as offering the possibility of altering patterns of thought, feeling and behaviour that were doing me and others harm.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the extraordinary market reaction to the small amount of taper-talk the Federal Reserve engaged in last May and June makes me think that the liquidity tsunami has probably had a much larger effect on the course of long rates than I had previously believed.

The Economist

The aim of a joust a'plaisance isn't, as I had always previously believed, to knock the knight from his seat, but to smash your own lance.

The Guardian - Travel

The estimates would make this spill far bigger than the 3.3 million barrels spilled by the Mexican rig Ixtoc I in 1979, previously believed to be the world's largest accidental release of oil.

The New York Times

That amount outstrips the estimated 3.3 million barrels spilled into the Bay of Campeche by the Mexican rig Ixtoc I in 1979, previously believed to be the world's largest accidental release.

The New York Times

In terms of marital functioning, research indicates that there is an elevated risk of divorce and separation among parents of children with disabilities, albeit the effect is smaller than previously believed (i.e., 3-7% increased risk [ 16]).

BMC Pediatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I previously believed" to clearly indicate a shift in your understanding or opinion on a subject. It adds clarity and honesty to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "I previously believed" as it can make your writing seem repetitive and indecisive. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I previously believed" functions as a declarative statement indicating a change in personal conviction. Ludwig examples show this expression introducing a superseded viewpoint or understanding. It sets up a contrast between past and present beliefs.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I previously believed" effectively communicates a shift in one's understanding or opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science. Although infrequent, using "I previously believed" adds a layer of transparency and intellectual honesty to your writing, demonstrating an evolution in perspective. Alternatives like "I used to think" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. Remember to use the phrase judiciously to avoid redundancy, and tailor your choice to suit the tone and audience of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I formerly thought

Replaces "previously believed" with "formerly thought", emphasizing a change in thinking.

I used to think

Uses the common idiom "used to think" to indicate a past belief.

I once considered

Employs "once considered" to highlight a former viewpoint.

I had initially assumed

Replaces "believed" with "assumed", indicating an earlier presumption.

I had earlier imagined

Substitutes "believed" with "imagined", suggesting a prior conception.

I once held the opinion that

Offers a more formal and elaborate way to express a former opinion.

My initial understanding was

Focuses on the change from a prior state of understanding.

At first, I was under the impression

Introduces the idea that a first impression has been corrected.

My original perspective was

Highlights the shift from an original viewpoint to a current one.

I was previously of the opinion

A more verbose way of saying something similar, maintaining formality.

FAQs

How can I use "I previously believed" in a sentence?

Use "I previously believed" to introduce an idea or opinion you once held but no longer do, such as, "I previously believed that the earth was flat, but now I know it's a sphere".

What's a more formal way to say "I previously believed"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "I formerly thought" or "I was previously of the opinion that".

What can I say instead of "I previously believed" in informal writing?

In less formal contexts, try "I used to think", or "I once thought". These options are more conversational and relatable.

Is it better to use "I previously believed" or "I used to believe"?

Both phrases are correct, but "I previously believed" is slightly more formal and emphasizes a conscious change in belief, while "I used to believe" is more general and suggests a past state that is no longer true.