able to believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to believe" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing the fact that something is possible to believe, or that a person is willing to take something on faith. For example: "He was able to believe in her absolute innocence, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was able to believe that.

The New Yorker

Sunderland won't be able to believe they got a point.

The Guardian - Sport

It would be nice to be able to believe it.

The Guardian - Business

He seems barely able to believe it himself.

The Guardian - Tech

This matters because people need to be able to believe that you can do it, and you also need to be able to believe you can do it".

The Guardian

She hadn't been able to believe it when he'd got into the Army.

The New Yorker

"We needed this cup to be able to believe in ourselves as a team.

Independent

Their manager won't be able to believe they came away with a point.

Independent

I ramble on about hardly being able to believe he will turn 80 next month.

The Guardian - Sport

I think he is still pinching himself, not quite able to believe his luck.

The Guardian - Film

"I have to be able to believe that it could happen.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "able to believe", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is believing in. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "able to believe" excessively in passive constructions, which can weaken the sentence. Opt for active voice where possible to make your writing more direct and engaging. Instead of "It was not able to be believed", consider "No one believed it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to believe" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating the capacity or possibility of someone holding a certain belief. It modifies a subject by expressing their capability of accepting something as true or credible. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "able to believe" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating the capacity or willingness to accept something as true. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for diverse contexts. While it appears most commonly in news and media sources, its neutral register allows for use in both formal and informal settings. When writing with this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being believed and avoid overuse in passive constructions to maintain sentence strength. Alternatives like "capable of believing" or ""willing to believe"" can add nuance depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of believing

Replaces "able" with "capable", emphasizing inherent capacity.

willing to believe

Emphasizes the willingness or readiness to accept something as true.

open to believing

Highlights a receptive attitude towards new information or ideas.

in a position to believe

Highlights the circumstances that allow belief.

prepared to believe

Suggests a state of readiness or anticipation in accepting something.

inclined to believe

Focuses on a predisposition or tendency towards belief.

disposed to believe

Implies a natural or inherent tendency toward belief.

trust enough to believe

Specifically emphasizes trust as a prerequisite for belief.

find it believable

Shifts focus to the inherent believability of something.

consider it credible

Emphasizes the assessment of something as worthy of belief.

FAQs

How can I use "able to believe" in a sentence?

Use "able to believe" to express the capacity or willingness to accept something as true. For example, "After seeing the evidence, he was "willing to believe" the story".

What are some alternatives to "able to believe"?

You can use alternatives like "capable of believing", "inclined to believe", or ""willing to believe"" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "able to believing"?

No, "able to believing" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "able to believe", using the base form of the verb.

What is the difference between "able to believe" and "willing to believe"?

"Able to believe" indicates the capacity to accept something as true, while ""willing to believe"" suggests a readiness or inclination to do so. "Able" refers to capability, whereas "willing" refers to disposition.