begin to believe

USAGE SUMMARY

"begin to believe" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the process or action of beginning to form a belief or opinion. For example: "As I learned more about the issue, I began to believe the argument made by the opponents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

You begin to believe you could never possibly do that.

The New York Times - Food

You get scared; you begin to believe that what isn't there is probably bad.

The New York Times

"I also learnt the biggest danger is that you begin to believe the hype about yourself.

Independent

People will wonder how anyone can begin to believe this stuff.

Independent

"Once children start failing, they begin to believe that they can't do anything.

The New York Times

They begin to believe that friendships should be sacrificed for the sake of romantic relationships.

The New Yorker

You try to keep a cool attitude but you begin to believe what people say.

Independent

But once they'd read something, we could all begin to believe in the book".

The Guardian - Books

We begin to believe that we represent a minority in our country.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"When I see the darts go on target I begin to believe we won't lose.

The Guardian - Sport

We begin to believe we are different, separate, better.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin to believe" to describe a gradual process of forming a conviction, not a sudden realization. For instance, "After seeing the evidence, they began to believe in his innocence."

Common error

Avoid using "begin to believe" when you mean simply "believe". "Begin to believe" implies a process of change, while "believe" indicates a current state of conviction. For example, don't say "I begin to believe it's raining" if you are already sure; say "I believe it's raining".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin to believe" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of a belief. It signifies the starting point of accepting something as true or possible. This is reinforced by Ludwig AI's confirmation of its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "begin to believe" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the initial stages of forming a belief or accepting something as true. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. As highlighted by the examples, this phrase is commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When using "begin to believe", it's important to convey the gradual nature of forming a conviction, differentiating it from a sudden realization or a pre-existing belief. Related alternatives include "start to accept", "grow to believe", and "become convinced", each offering slightly different nuances in meaning. Remember to reserve "begin to believe" for situations where there's a genuine shift in perspective, rather than a simple statement of current belief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow to believe

Suggests a belief that develops over time.

become convinced

Indicates a stronger level of persuasion and certainty.

start to accept

Focuses on the initial stage of acceptance, rather than the formation of a belief.

come to think

Implies a gradual realization or shift in thinking.

begin to suspect

Suggests a cautious or hesitant start to believing something, often negative.

start to assume

Emphasizes making an assumption rather than a firm belief.

start to feel

Indicates an emotional inclination toward a belief, rather than a rational conviction.

get the impression

Highlights the formation of a feeling or idea based on incomplete evidence.

conceive a belief

Focuses on the intellectual process of forming a belief.

form an opinion

Focuses on the creation of an opinion, which may not be a strong belief.

FAQs

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

Use "begin to believe" to express the starting point of accepting something as true or possible. For instance, "After reviewing the data, scientists "started to believe" the new theory."

What are some alternatives to "begin to believe"?

Alternatives include "start to accept", "grow to believe", or "become convinced", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more correct to say "begin to believe" or "start believing"?

Both "begin to believe" and "start believing" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the rhythm of the sentence. "Begin to believe" might suggest a slightly more gradual process.

What is the difference between "begin to believe" and "believe"?

"Begin to believe" describes the process of forming a belief, while "believe" indicates a state of conviction. For example, "I am beginning to believe it will rain" suggests you are starting to think it will, whereas "I believe it will rain" means you are already convinced.