believed like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "believed like" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in informal contexts to compare beliefs or perceptions, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "She believed like her friends that the event would be a success."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For most of his career, he believed, like most allergists, that children are far less likely to become allergic to problematic foods if they are not exposed to them as infants.

The New Yorker

"I completely believed – like a ceramics scientologist".

The Guardian - Books

Eight in ten Americans believed, like Boehner, that "all men are created equal" was in the Constitution.

The New Yorker

"Before this class, I believed, like many others, that successful leaders are always extroverts, outspoken, bold, and dominating," said Saksena, a freshman who plans to apply to Haas.

University of California, Berkeley

Adrian was a socialist and a pacifist who believed, like William Blake, that everything human was "holy".

The Guardian - Opinion

For years software was covered by copyright law, and was believed, like mathematical algorithms, to be ineligible for patents.

The New York Times

ESPN.com's Pat Forde believed, like Butler had, that it would go in and turn a merely epic game into a masterpiece.

The New York Times

He was alive to the dangers of uniform mediocrity but believed, like Mill, that democracy could be permeated by creative ideas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He turned bitterly hostile to Stalin's regime, for he believed, like Engels, that the dictatorship of the workers' state would wither away.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We believe like crazy in it," he says.

The New Yorker

You believe like them or you're out.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context. While "believed like" is generally acceptable, more formal writing may benefit from using stronger, more precise alternatives such as "held the same opinion".

Common error

Avoid using "believed like" excessively in academic or professional writing. Opt for more formal and precise alternatives such as "held the same view as" or "shared the conviction that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believed like" functions as a comparative conjunction, linking an individual's belief to a shared belief or perspective held by others. It indicates a similarity in thought or conviction, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

21%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "believed like" is a commonly used comparative conjunction that illustrates a shared belief or perspective. While generally acceptable in informal contexts, Ludwig AI suggests that more formal writing may benefit from stronger, more precise alternatives to enhance clarity. The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources, indicating a neutral register. Consider using alternatives such as "shared the belief that" or "held the same opinion as" to improve precision and maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared the belief that

This alternative clearly states that two or more entities held the same belief.

held the same opinion as

This phrase indicates agreement in opinion, not just belief.

thought similarly to

This option focuses on similar thought processes rather than identical beliefs.

was of the same mind as

A more formal way of expressing agreement in thought or belief.

subscribed to the same view as

This implies adopting a particular viewpoint or ideology.

concurred with the idea that

This emphasizes agreement on a specific idea or concept.

had a similar conviction to

Highlights a strong belief or firm opinion.

felt the same way as

Expresses a similarity in feeling or sentiment.

maintained the same position as

Indicates holding the same stance or viewpoint on a particular issue.

saw eye to eye with

An idiomatic expression for agreeing completely with someone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "believed like" for clarity?

Consider using alternatives such as "shared the belief that", "held the same opinion as", or "thought similarly to" for more precise communication.

Is "believed like" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "believed like" isn't always the most grammatically precise choice. It's often acceptable in informal contexts but might benefit from clearer alternatives in formal writing.

What are some synonyms for "believed like" in academic writing?

In academic contexts, stronger alternatives include "was of the same mind as", "subscribed to the same view as", or "concurred with the idea that".

When is it appropriate to use "believed like"?

"Believed like" is suitable for informal conversation or writing when comparing beliefs. However, for formal or professional contexts, consider alternatives like "had a similar conviction to" or "felt the same way as" for improved clarity.