I stopped believing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I stopped believing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a loss of faith or trust in something or someone. Example: "After years of disappointment, I finally stopped believing in the promises they made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

When I stopped believing, he did.

The New York Times

"I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six," she recalled.

The Guardian - Film

Reading about it reminded me of the day I stopped believing in God.

The New Yorker

I would get well when I stopped believing in the 'illusion' of my sickness.

The New York Times - Books

It's a dream that lay dormant for a long time; I stopped believing in it.

The Guardian - Film

I gotta tell you that I stopped believing right then and there.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Would I stop believing in Jesus, or abandon my vows of chastity?

The New York Times

"America's the only big idea I've ever had," he tells Alec, adding, "If I stop believing in it it's like I stop believing in happiness or adventure or... love".

The New York Times - Books

"Just because some people who believe the same things I do aren't very loving doesn't mean I stop believing what I do".

The New York Times

"I've got to keep my career going in any way I can, because the minute I stop believing there will be no career.

The Guardian - Sport

And once I stop believing the story, I'm less comfortable with sentences that begin: "Mary lay in bed watching the summer moonlight streaming through the casement as beside her, her Philip, her darling, her joy was breathing evenly......

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I stopped believing", clarify what exactly you stopped believing in to provide context and prevent ambiguity. For example, "I stopped believing in miracles" is more precise than "I stopped believing."

Common error

Avoid using "I stopped believing" without specifying the object of your belief. This can lead to confusion. Instead of saying, "I stopped believing", specify what you stopped believing in, such as "I stopped believing in their promises."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I stopped believing" functions as a declarative statement expressing a change in personal conviction. It indicates a past point when the speaker ceased to hold a particular belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I stopped believing" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express a past loss of faith or trust. Ludwig AI validates its usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, often used to describe a shift in personal conviction. When using this phrase, it's important to clarify what exactly you stopped believing in to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "I lost faith" or "I ceased to believe" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I lost faith

A more concise way of expressing a loss of belief.

I ceased to believe

A more formal way to say that you no longer believe.

I no longer believed

Emphasizes the change from a state of belief to disbelief.

My belief faltered

Highlights the weakening of belief over time.

I became disillusioned

Focuses on the disappointment that led to the loss of belief.

I gave up on believing

Indicates a more active decision to stop believing.

I abandoned my belief

Suggests a more conscious and deliberate rejection of a belief.

I had a crisis of faith

Implies a period of doubt that resulted in a loss of belief.

I disbelieved

A straightforward and simple way to state disbelief.

I was unable to believe anymore

Emphasizes the inability to maintain belief, possibly due to external factors.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I stopped believing"?

You can use alternatives like "I lost faith", "I ceased to believe", or "I no longer believed depending on the context.

How do I use "I stopped believing" in a sentence?

Use "I stopped believing" to express a loss of faith or trust in something. For example: "After the scandal, I stopped believing in his honesty."

Which is correct, "I stopped believing" or "I have stopped believing"?

Both are correct, but "I stopped believing" indicates a completed action in the past, while "I have stopped believing" emphasizes the present state resulting from that past action.

What's the difference between "I stopped believing" and "I don't believe anymore"?

"I stopped believing" implies a point in the past when your belief ceased, while "I don't believe anymore" suggests a current state of disbelief that may have developed gradually.