believe in

USAGE SUMMARY

"believe in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express your confident faith or trust in a person, thing, or idea. For example: "I believe in the power of positive thinking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I believe in integrity.

The New York Times

"We believe in print".

The New York Times

"I believe in magic".

The New Yorker

I believe in myself.

The New York Times - Sports

I believe in Allah.

Independent

I believe in God.

The New York Times - Sports

They believe in brands.

The Economist

They believe in autocracy".

The New Yorker

Don't believe in spells?

The New York Times - Sports

"Catholics believe in sacramentality.

Independent

I believe in Superman".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "believe in" to express a deep-seated conviction or faith in a person, idea, or system. For example, "I believe in the power of education."

Common error

Avoid using "believe in" when a more direct verb like "think" or "expect" would be more appropriate. For instance, instead of "I believe in it will rain tomorrow", say "I think it will rain tomorrow."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believe in" functions as a verb phrase expressing conviction, faith, or trust. As Ludwig AI indicates, it signifies more than just accepting something as true; it implies a deeper level of confidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "believe in" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express faith, trust, or confidence in someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. As evidenced by numerous examples from sources like The New York Times and BBC, "believe in" is frequently used in news and media to convey conviction, but also has usage in Wiki and Formal & Business contexts. Alternatives include "have faith in" or "be confident in". When using "believe in", ensure it reflects a genuine sense of trust rather than a simple expectation, and be mindful of overusing it in place of more precise verbs like "think".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have faith in

Indicates a strong confidence or trust in someone or something, often with a religious connotation, but not exclusively.

be confident in

Implies a feeling of assurance and certainty about someone's abilities or the likelihood of a positive outcome.

trust in

Highlights the reliance and dependability one places on a person or thing.

have confidence in

Emphasizes a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

swear by

Suggests a strong endorsement or recommendation based on personal experience and conviction.

rely on

Focuses on the dependence and reliance on something or someone for support or assistance.

count on

Implies a confident expectation that someone will fulfill a commitment or obligation.

place trust in

Highlights the act of deliberately assigning confidence to someone or something.

be a believer in

Emphasizes active acceptance and promotion of an idea, concept, or person.

uphold

Suggests defending or maintaining a principle or belief.

FAQs

What does it mean to "believe in" something?

To "believe in" something means to have confidence in its existence, truth, or reliability. It implies a sense of trust and conviction, often without concrete proof.

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

You can use "believe in" to express faith in a person (e.g., "I believe in you"), a concept (e.g., "I believe in justice"), or a higher power (e.g., "I believe in God").

What are some alternatives to "believe in"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "have faith in", "trust in", or "be confident in".

Is there a difference between "believe" and "believe in"?

"Believe" generally refers to accepting something as true, while "believe in" implies a stronger sense of trust, confidence, or faith. For example, you might "believe" a fact, but you "believe in" a friend.