believe about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "believe about" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used in a similar way to "think about" or "consider," and indicates that the speaker is considering a particular idea or aspect of something. Example: "I need some time to believe about your proposal before I can give you an answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

What do I believe about Jesus Christ?

The New Yorker

What things do they believe about themselves?

The Guardian

So what common myths do we believe about happiness?

The Guardian

So what do we believe about classical music?

The Guardian - Music

People choose what they want to believe about themselves.

The New York Times - Books

So what does Peterson actually believe about gender and pronouns?

The New Yorker

That certainly seems to ground what most people believe about smoking and lung cancer.

The New Yorker

This is incompatible with what we believe about killing in other contexts.

The New York Times

Labor leaders said they believe about half the Council will ally with them.

The New York Times

"It comes back to what are people willing to believe about the brand".

The New York Times

Hard to believe about his smashing 30-year endurance record at that desk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "believe about" when you want to explore someone's convictions or perspectives on a topic, not just their surface-level thoughts.

Common error

Avoid using "believe about" when "believe in" is more appropriate. "Believe in" is used for trust or faith in something, while "believe about" refers to opinions or convictions regarding a specific subject. For example, say "I "believe in" the power of education" not "I believe about the power of education".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believe about" functions as a verb phrase used to express or inquire about someone's opinions, convictions, or perspectives on a particular topic. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and often used to understand someone's stance on a specific issue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "believe about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for exploring or stating convictions and opinions on specific subjects. As noted by Ludwig, it functions effectively across a range of contexts, from news and media to scientific discussions. While similar to phrases like "think about" and "feel about", "believe about" specifically emphasizes conviction. It's crucial to differentiate its usage from "believe in", which expresses faith or trust. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "believe about" to convey and inquire about perspectives with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

think about

Focuses on the mental process of considering or reflecting on something, rather than necessarily holding a strong belief.

feel about

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of one's opinion or stance.

hold the opinion that

A more formal way to express a belief.

what's your take on

Asks for an opinion or perspective.

view something as

Indicates a specific way of interpreting or understanding something.

how do you see

Focuses on perspective and understanding rather than firm belief.

regard something as

Formal way of expressing an opinion or assessment.

consider something to be

Highlights the process of evaluation and judgment.

deem something to be

Highlights a formal or authoritative judgment.

my understanding of

Emphasizes a personal comprehension or interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "believe about" in a sentence?

Use "believe about" to inquire or state someone's opinion or conviction on a specific topic. For example: "What do you "believe about" the new environmental regulations?"

What's a good alternative to "believe about"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "think about", "feel about", or "what is your take on" to express a similar idea.

When is it incorrect to use "believe about"?

Avoid using "believe about" when you mean to express faith or trust in something. In such cases, "believe in" is the correct choice. For instance, say "I "believe in" you", not "I believe about you".

What's the difference between "believe in" and "believe about"?

"Believe in" expresses trust or faith, while "believe about" refers to opinions or convictions regarding a specific subject. For example, "I "believe in" the power of positive thinking" versus "What do you "believe about" the effectiveness of this policy?"