believe against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "believe against" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be interpreted as holding a belief that contradicts something else, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "Despite the evidence presented, she chose to believe against the facts."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

We believe against this backdrop the stock should enjoy a good performance.

The Guardian - Business

The treaty is anti-consumer and, we believe, against the law.

The Guardian - Business

Thousands of people believe, against all logic and reason, that male infant circumcision is somehow not genital mutilation.

The Guardian

Their arrival could bolster the Washington-led coalition's claim to be waging a war against terrorism and not, as many Muslims prefer to believe, against Islam.

The New York Times

Even with my experience of having cared for patients in similar situations, I wanted at first to believe, against all odds, that my father-in-law's course might be different.

The New York Times - Health

Even Martin's trepidation about what they are doing — and his desire to believe, against all evidence, that it's a legitimate music-business gig — helps to separate the marks from their money.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

This is how my biculturalism manifests in sports: I sit down to watch Peru play against Brazil, believing against all reason that we will win.

The New Yorker

But unless one believes, against all the evidence, that faith in God keeps one from cruelty, this is a bum rap.

The New Yorker

That was the form of government most Elizabethans believed, against what looks like quite a lot of evidence, best suited to their needs.

The Guardian

It could hurt....She believed, against all the evidence of her own beautiful eyes, that there was some kind of enchanted place called Abroad, where she would be understood and where she could lead a more normal life.

The New Yorker

Kant believed, against Hobbes and Hume, that not only could reason itself prompt action, but that it is the source of our moral nature.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "believe against", ensure the context clearly indicates what the belief is opposing, and that your writing remains easy to understand. If clarity is an issue, consider alternatives such as "believe contrary to".

Common error

Avoid using "believe against" if the intention is simply to state a belief without implying opposition. Ensure that there is a clear contrast or conflict that the belief is set against, or it may confuse the reader. It is very important that the reader understands against what you are setting your belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believe against" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, indicating a belief that persists in opposition to something else. Ludwig shows it's often used to express conviction despite conflicting evidence or circumstances.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "believe against" describes maintaining a belief in the face of opposing factors. While grammatically acceptable, it is an uncommon expression and can be perceived as awkward. As Ludwig points out, clearer alternatives such as "believe contrary to" or "believe in spite of" may be more effective for clear communication. It's primary function is to emphasize conviction despite challenges, often found in neutral contexts like news or analytical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believe contrary to

Emphasizes opposition to established or expected beliefs.

believe in spite of

Highlights the presence of contradictory evidence or circumstances.

maintain a belief despite

Focuses on the persistence of a belief in the face of challenges.

hold a conviction against

Implies a strong and unwavering belief.

have faith against

Suggests a sense of trust or confidence despite opposing forces.

choose to believe despite

Highlights the conscious decision to hold a belief.

believe even though

States a belief alongside a contrasting condition.

sustain belief regardless of

Highlights the resilience of the belief.

cling to a belief despite

Suggests a desperate or tenacious adherence to a belief.

insist on believing despite

Emphasizes a strong and possibly stubborn insistence on a belief.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "believe against" in a sentence?

The phrase "believe against" is used to express holding a belief that is contrary to evidence or expectations. For example: "Despite the setbacks, they chose to believe against all odds".

What is a more common alternative to "believe against"?

Alternatives to "believe against" include phrases like "believe contrary to", "believe in spite of", or "maintain a belief despite", which may provide clearer and more common ways to express a similar idea.

Is "believe against" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "believe against" is less common and may sound awkward to some. It is generally acceptable, but using clearer alternatives might improve readability.

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

"Believe against" implies holding a belief despite conflicting evidence or circumstances, while "believe in" simply means to have faith or confidence in something or someone.