as we believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we believed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sentiment or assumption that was held by a group or individuals in the past. Example: "The results of the experiment were surprising, as we believed they would yield different outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

As we believed then, and believe now: this is our country, and we will always stay here.

The New York Times

After the free trial ended, we introduced a number of subscription options as we believed that running an ad-funded app would result in a poor user experience.

The Guardian

We held our nerve, as we believed that focusing on our people was even more important if we were to do well in difficult times.

The Guardian

"Perhaps we have not completely understood the American Constitution, and the effective power of the president is not as strong as we believed," he said.

The New York Times

Whatever else the electoral fracas there has done, it has helped demystify this last redoubt of American political idealism by demonstrating that not even voting was as sacrosanct as we believed just a few weeks ago.

The New York Times

We found this reaction more surprising as we believed that you have to show the human and social impact of extreme weather and thought that the video did this succinctly.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Do we believe our methods as much as we believe in what we do?

The Guardian

We're simply not as good as we believe we are.

Independent

And as long as we believe the stimulus isn't working, it won't.

The New York Times

We have set out our concerns on this as we believe it is distorting the market.

The Guardian - Business

As long as we believe in ourselves, nobody's got a shot at it".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as we believed", ensure the context clearly indicates who 'we' refers to, especially in formal writing. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Don't use "as we believed" to introduce information you still consider to be true without providing updated evidence. This phrasing inherently suggests a previous viewpoint that may no longer be accurate, undermining your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we believed" functions as an introductory clause, setting the stage for information based on past assumptions or convictions. It often introduces a contrast between a former understanding and a current perspective, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as we believed" is a phrase used to introduce information based on past assumptions, often contrasting it with current understanding. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing. While appropriate for formal contexts, clarity is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "as we thought" or "as we assumed" offer similar meanings. Ensure to clearly indicate who "we" refers to, and avoid presenting past beliefs as current facts to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what we previously thought

Simple and direct, emphasizing a change in thought.

as was our belief

Rephrases the original to focus on the 'belief' itself, changing the sentence structure.

as we had assumed

Emphasizes the 'assumption' aspect of the past belief, implying it might have been incorrect.

according to our understanding at the time

More formal and emphasizes the understanding was specific to a certain point in time.

based on our prior convictions

Highlights the role of 'convictions' or strong beliefs in forming the past assessment.

given our then-current knowledge

Highlights that the past belief was based on limited knowledge available at the time.

in light of what we knew then

Similar to the above, but less formal.

from our past perspective

Focuses on a 'perspective' shift, indicating how views have changed since the belief was held.

our initial impression was

Focuses specifically on the 'initial impression', suggesting a first take on something.

in our former estimation

Uses 'estimation' to suggest an evaluation or judgment made in the past.

FAQs

How can I use "as we believed" in a sentence?

Use "as we believed" to introduce a past assumption or conviction, often to contrast it with current understanding. For example: "The experiment challenged our assumptions, "as we believed" the results would be different."

What phrases are similar to "as we believed"?

Alternatives include "as we thought", "as we assumed", or "what we previously thought depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "as we believed" in formal writing?

Yes, it's appropriate in formal writing, but ensure the context is clear and that you're contrasting a past belief with current knowledge or findings. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who "we" refers to.

What's the difference between "as we believed" and "as we know now"?

"As we believed" introduces a past viewpoint, while "as we know now" introduces a current understanding. Using them together can effectively highlight a shift in perspective or knowledge.