are believing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are believing" is grammatically correct but not commonly used in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express a current state of belief, often in a more progressive or ongoing sense. Example: "They are believing in the possibility of change, despite the challenges ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The contradiction that Álex de la Iglesia presented, two non-believers who are believing.

Huffington Post

"We are believing," the veteran center Jason Arnott said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I am very concerned people are believing what you are writing.

Independent

You see that western governments are believing in some sort of softening.

The Guardian

They are believing everything Coach Frank Vogel told them about how good they are, writes Chris Mannix on SI.com.

The New York Times

"Because of them, we are believing in ourselves again," said Clark Spencer, a producer of "Wreck-It Ralph," as he accepted the best feature Annie.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

(Eleven more are believed lost).

The New York Times - Arts

The attackers are believed to be jihadists.

The Economist

Both are believed to be abandoned pets.

The New York Times

They are believed killed by the authorities.

The Economist

Chilis are believed to have health benefits.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are believing" to emphasize an ongoing process of coming to believe something, particularly when contrasting it with a previous state of disbelief or uncertainty. For example: "Initially skeptical, they "are believing" more and more as the evidence mounts."

Common error

Avoid using "are believing" when a simple present tense ("believe") suffices. Overusing the continuous form can sound unnatural. Instead of "I "am believing" you", say "I believe you" unless emphasizing a gradual shift in your belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are believing" functions primarily as a present progressive verb phrase. It indicates an action (believing) that is currently in progress or ongoing. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies it as grammatically correct, although potentially less common than the simple present form "believe".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are believing" is a grammatically valid present progressive construction used to denote an ongoing process of coming to a belief. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it also indicates that it’s less common than the simple present "believe". The choice between the two depends on the desired emphasis; "are believing" highlights the transition or development of a belief, as evidenced in news and media contexts. Alternatives such as "are convinced" or "believe" may be more appropriate in certain situations. It's important to note that overuse of the continuous aspect may sound unnatural, use sparingly to emphasize a transitional state of mind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are convinced

Emphasizes the strength of the belief, suggesting a firm persuasion.

are persuaded

Similar to "are convinced", highlighting the influence that led to the belief.

do believe

Adds emphasis to the present belief, conveying a stronger sense of conviction.

believe

Shorter, more direct expression of belief, lacking the continuous aspect.

are trusting

Focuses on the aspect of trust or reliance in the belief.

hold the belief

Highlights the act of maintaining or possessing the belief.

are of the opinion

A more formal way of expressing a current belief or viewpoint.

maintain the belief

Emphasizes the act of consistently holding onto a belief.

accept as true

Focuses on the acceptance of something as factual or valid.

subscribe to the idea

Indicates adherence to a particular concept or viewpoint.

FAQs

How can I use "are believing" in a sentence?

Use "are believing" to describe a process of gradually accepting something as true. For example, "Despite initial doubts, they "are believing" his story now."

What's a good alternative to "are believing"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "are convinced", "are trusting", or simply "believe".

Is it always correct to use the present continuous tense with "believe"?

While grammatically correct, using the present continuous with "believe" isn't always the most natural choice. It's best when emphasizing a change or development in belief, and less common in general assertions of belief. Consider alternatives like I "believe" for general statements.

What’s the difference between "are believing" and "believe"?

"Believe" expresses a general state of acceptance, while "are believing" suggests a process or a gradual shift toward acceptance. The progressive form is less about what you believe, more about how you got there. For example “People "believe" in democracy” versus “People "are believing" that climate change is real as they witness the effects."