although they believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "although they believe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a contrast or concession in a statement, typically followed by a clause that presents an opposing idea or fact. Example: "Although they believe in the effectiveness of the new policy, the results have not shown any significant improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

In fact, although they believe that the debate is important, they oppose actual legislation.

The Guardian

Police do not know how the two men met, although they believe the pair attended various mosques in south London.

The Guardian

Investigators have confirmed the group's existence, although they believe it is loosely organized and includes just a handful of troopers.

The New York Times

The researchers admit that, although they believe their mouse experiment is correct, the results remain largely a mystery.

The Guardian

Even some doctors who treat eating disorders concede there are few studies proving that residential care is effective, although they believe it has value.

The New York Times

Yukos executives were quick to say they did not want a protracted battle, although they believe Sibneft might owe Yukos money since the breakup of the deal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Investigators said yesterday that although they believed the killer might be someone Ms. Stein knew, they had no leading suspects.

The New York Times

They had no idea what Dola's last name might be, although they believed that she was married.

The New York Times

Chrysler executives said Friday that they expected the vote to be close, although they believed the pact would be approved.

The New York Times

Nicholas and center Todd McClure said it was the best game the Falcons had played this season, although they believed they could get better.

The New York Times - Sports

Pentagon officials could not explain the jump in assaults of women, although they believed that more victims, both men and women, were making the choice to come forward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "although they believe", ensure the clause that follows provides a clear and direct counterpoint to their belief. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "although they believe" simply as a filler phrase. Make sure the contrasting idea you introduce is genuinely different from what "they believe". Otherwise, you risk sounding repetitive or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "although they believe" functions as a concessive clause introducer. It sets up a contrast between a belief held by a group and another fact or opinion, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

24%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "although they believe" is a grammatically correct and commonly used concessive conjunction. According to Ludwig, it effectively introduces a contrast or qualification to a stated belief. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science. While widely applicable, remember to ensure a clear and direct contrast is provided after using the phrase, avoiding any ambiguity or redundancy. To enhance your writing, consider alternatives like "even though they think" or "despite their belief". Remember the importance of context and specific wording. Ludwig provides numerous examples for guidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even though they think

Replaces "believe" with "think" maintaining the same concessive meaning.

despite their belief

Uses a noun phrase instead of a clause, but conveys the same contrast.

though they may believe

Adds a degree of uncertainty with "may", but retains the core meaning.

even if they are convinced

Substitutes "believe" with a stronger term, "convinced", for emphasis.

while they maintain the opinion

Uses "maintain the opinion" for a more formal tone than "believe".

notwithstanding their conviction

Employs a more formal and emphatic tone with "notwithstanding" and "conviction".

although it is their understanding

Replaces the more direct "believe" with the more descriptive "it is their understanding".

even with their confidence

Replaces "believe" with a noun phrase indicating a level of certainty.

despite what they presume

Replaces "believe" with "presume", implying a lack of concrete evidence.

regardless of their perspective

Emphasizes a differing viewpoint despite their belief.

FAQs

How can I use "although they believe" in a sentence?

Use "although they believe" to introduce a contrasting idea. For example, "Although they believe the project will succeed, there are significant risks involved".

What are some alternatives to "although they believe"?

Alternatives include "even though they think", "despite their belief", or "though they may believe", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state who "they" are when using "although they believe"?

For clarity, it's best to specify who "they" refers to, especially if it's not immediately obvious from the context. For instance, "Although the scientists believe...".

What's the difference between "although they believe" and "even if they believe"?

"Although they believe" introduces a contrast, whereas "even if they believe" presents a hypothetical situation that doesn't change the outcome.