believed it was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "believed it was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a past belief or assumption about something. Example: "She believed it was the right decision at the time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People believed it was drink.

The New Yorker

She believed it was enough.

The New Yorker

But nobody believed it was over.

The New York Times

They believed it was women's turn.

The New York Times

Still, Comey believed, it was worth it.

The New York Times

"Nobody believed it was possible," Yifei said.

The New Yorker

"I believed it was a valid question".

The New Yorker

Not Sadie Wolfe?" He believed it was.

The New Yorker

She believed it was important.

The Guardian

Perhaps for a while they believed it was possible.

Harvard University

"I wouldn't have believed it was possible.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing narratives, use "believed it was" to show a character's perspective or understanding of a situation at a specific point in time. This allows readers to understand their thought process and motivations.

Common error

Ensure clarity by explicitly stating who held the belief. For example, instead of "It was believed it was the right thing to do", specify "The council believed it was the right thing to do" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believed it was" functions as a declarative clause expressing a past belief or conviction. It connects a subject (explicit or implicit) with their past perception of a situation or fact. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples where this phrase introduces a subjective assessment or interpretation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "believed it was" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express past beliefs or assumptions. Ludwig AI analysis reveals it's particularly common in news and media contexts, while also appearing in science and business writing. While generally neutral in register, ensuring clarity by explicitly stating the subject is a key best practice. Alternatives include "thought it to be", "assumed it was", and "was under the impression it was", each offering slightly different nuances. With a high expert rating of 4.5, mastering the use of "believed it was" will improve your writing and prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thought it to be

Uses a more formal infinitive structure instead of a simple past tense.

assumed it was

Indicates a belief formed without concrete proof or deep consideration.

considered it to be

Emphasizes a more deliberate or thoughtful assessment leading to the belief.

held the opinion that it was

Conveys a more firm and established belief.

presumed it to be

Suggests a belief based on probability or likelihood.

was under the impression it was

Highlights the subjective nature of the belief, suggesting it might be based on incomplete information.

understood it as

Focuses on the interpretation or understanding that led to the belief.

had the conviction it was

Implies a strong, unwavering belief.

took it for granted it was

Indicates a belief accepted without question or examination.

deemed it to be

Suggests a formal judgement or assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "believed it was" in a sentence?

Use "believed it was" to express a past belief or assumption. For example, "She "believed it was" the best course of action at the time."

What are some alternatives to "believed it was"?

Alternatives include "thought it was", "assumed it was", or "was under the impression it was", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "believed it to be" more formal than "believed it was"?

Yes, "believed it to be" is generally considered more formal than ""believed it was"". The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "believed it was" and "thought it was"?

While similar, ""believed it was"" might imply a stronger conviction than "thought it was", which can be a more casual assessment. The difference is subtle and context-dependent.