basis for believing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basis for believing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the foundation or reasoning behind a belief or opinion. Example: "The scientific evidence provides a strong basis for believing that climate change is real and caused by human activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I have no basis for believing that Courtney is going to be withdrawing support".

The New York Times

There's no basis for believing that sharks have a taste for human flesh, the study argues.

The New York Times - Science

"There is simply no basis for believing that David Michael Miranda presents any threat whatsoever to the UK government.

The Guardian

The investigation concluded that there was no basis for believing that the original experiment should be republished.

Nature

Aboriginal leaders thus had a sound basis for believing that they could craft agreements of long-lasting utility.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a general rule, data derived from the characteristics of individuals, including behavioral data, will likely convey information about individuals, absent some rigorous technical basis for believing otherwise.

The Guardian - Tech

Collectively, these five methods provide a solid basis for believing that crowdfunding can address the three fundamental problems of entrepreneurial finance and succeed.

Harvard University

To deny bail, the Attorney General should have a reasonable basis for believing that the circumstances attending Zydok present too hazardous a risk in leaving him at large.

Cornell University

And they say there is no basis for believing a new competing newspaper would have successfully entered the market if there had been no j.o.a.

The New York Times

There is a theoretical basis for believing that healthy lifestyle interventions can improve mental well-being and evidence to show that mental well-being is protective of future health.

Public Health

The Centre for Constitutional Rights said all signatories to the convention on torture "are obligated to prosecute or extradite for prosecution anyone present in their territory they have a reasonable basis for believing has committed torture".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "basis for believing", ensure that you can clearly articulate the specific reasons or evidence that support the belief. Avoid vague or unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid claiming that there is a strong "basis for believing" something when the evidence is weak or inconclusive. Overstating the certainty can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basis for believing" functions as a noun phrase, specifically indicating the foundation, justification, or rationale behind a belief. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a correct and usable phrase in English. It often serves to introduce or explain the reasons why someone holds a particular belief.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

29%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "basis for believing" is a versatile and frequently used expression that signifies the justification or foundation for holding a particular belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and scientific discourse. Its usage indicates a reasoned approach, emphasizing the evidence or rationale that supports a belief. While alternatives like "reason to believe" or "grounds for belief" exist, "basis for believing" offers a clear and direct way to express the underlying reasons for accepting a certain idea or proposition. When employing this phrase, ensure that the supporting evidence is clearly articulated and proportional to the strength of the claim being made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason to believe

Focuses on the justification or cause for holding a belief; replaces "basis" with "reason".

grounds for belief

Emphasizes the justification or support for a belief; replaces "basis" with "grounds".

reason for one's belief

Highlights the personal aspect of belief and the reason behind it; uses a possessive.

justification for believing

Stresses the act of justifying the belief; focuses on the defense of the belief.

evidence supporting the belief

Highlights the factual or empirical support for a belief; emphasizes evidence.

rationale for the belief

Emphasizes the logical or reasoned explanation for a belief; highlights rationale.

underlying reason for belief

Focuses on the fundamental reason behind the belief; adds "underlying".

cause for believing

Indicates the origin or source of the belief; replaces "basis" with "cause".

foundation for one's belief

Stresses the fundamental support on which a belief is built; uses a possessive.

legitimate reason to believe

Emphasizes the validity and acceptability of the reason for belief; adds "legitimate".

FAQs

How can I use "basis for believing" in a sentence?

You can use "basis for believing" to introduce the reasons or evidence that support a particular belief. For example, "The research provides a strong "basis for believing" that exercise improves mental health".

What are some alternatives to "basis for believing"?

Some alternatives include "reason to believe", "grounds for belief", or "justification for believing" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "basis for believing" and "reason for believing"?

While both phrases are similar, "basis for believing" emphasizes the foundation or evidence supporting a belief, whereas "reason for believing" focuses more on the specific cause or justification for holding that belief. They are often interchangeable but can have subtle differences in emphasis.

Is there a difference in formality between "basis for believing" and "reason for believing"?

Both "basis for believing" and "reason for believing" are suitable for formal and informal contexts. The choice between them often depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you wish to convey. The "reason to believe" maybe slightly more common in everyday speech.