believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "believe" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express your opinion about something, as in the example sentence: "I believe that the world would be a better place if people were more understanding of each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We couldn't believe it.

The Guardian

"We believe together we have an opportunity to demonstrate the true nature of British Islam today.

The Guardian

I personally don't believe in any organised Gods because I don't see any organisation in the way the world has progressed.

The Guardian - Film

I believe that we have now obtained the balance between what in an ideal world we would like to do and what we can afford to do".

The Guardian

I believe in it".

The New York Times - Sports

You don't believe me?

The Guardian

"Can you believe that?

The New York Times

Don't believe a word of it.

The Economist

We have taken these positions because we believe that freedom and self-determination are not unique to one culture.

The New York Times

"I don't believe it".

The New York Times

"Who do you believe?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "believe", clearly indicate the basis for your belief, especially in formal writing. Providing evidence or reasoning strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "I believe" without providing supporting evidence or reasoning. Vary your sentence structure and provide context to make your beliefs more persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "believe" is as a verb, indicating a state of mind where one accepts something as true or has faith in something. Ludwig confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "believe" is a versatile verb used to express acceptance, trust, or conviction. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, and its communicative purpose centers on sharing personal opinions or expressing faith. While generally neutral in register, the level of formality can vary. When using "believe", providing supporting evidence can strengthen your statement, but avoid overuse without substance. Alternatives such as "have faith in" or "be convinced of" can provide nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accept as true

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of acknowledging something as factual.

have faith in

This alternative shifts the focus to trust and reliance on something, often implying a spiritual or moral dimension.

be convinced of

This phrase emphasizes a strong sense of certainty and persuasion regarding something.

hold the view that

Similar to 'be of the opinion', but it indicates a more considered and firmly established perspective.

be of the opinion that

This phrase introduces a subjective viewpoint or judgment, suggesting a personal assessment.

deem it to be true

This alternative is formal and suggests a careful evaluation leading to an acceptance of truth.

take it as gospel

This idiom conveys complete and unquestioning acceptance of something as truth.

regard as plausible

This phrase suggests that something seems reasonable or believable, without necessarily being fully accepted.

consider it likely

This phrase focuses on the probability of something being true, rather than absolute certainty.

presume to be the case

This option suggests an assumption based on available evidence, without definitive proof.

FAQs

How can I use "believe" in a sentence?

Use "believe" to express your opinion or acceptance of something as true, such as "I believe that honesty is the best policy" or "Do you believe in climate change"?

What's the difference between "believe" and "know"?

"Believe" implies accepting something as true without absolute certainty, while "know" indicates a state of being certain and having evidence.

What can I say instead of "I believe"?

You can use alternatives like "in my opinion", "I think", or "I consider" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I believe that..."?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "I believe that..." is a common way to introduce a personal opinion or conviction.