believed that

USAGE SUMMARY

"believed that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express something that is accepted as true but hasn't been proven. For example: "It is widely believed that the Earth is round."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I never believed that".

The New York Times

Above all, Westin believed that "G.M.A".

The New Yorker

Villas-Boas believed that was the case.

Independent

I really believed that was true".

The New Yorker

I believed that would say a lot.

The New York Times

I never believed that was the case.

The New York Times

We never believed that".

The New York Times - Sports

No one really believed that was possible.

BBC

He really believed that".

Los Angeles Times

She never believed that.

The New York Times

But nobody believed that.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "believed that" to express an acceptance of something as true without absolute proof. This is particularly effective in historical contexts or when discussing personal viewpoints.

Common error

Avoid presenting a belief supported by "believed that" as an irrefutable fact. Always ensure the context acknowledges the potential for other viewpoints or evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believed that" functions as a connector introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a belief or opinion held by someone. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase correctly conveys acceptance of something as true. Examples across various news articles and academic texts, confirm it's a standard way to attribute a particular conviction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

9%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "believed that" is a common conjunction phrase used to introduce a subordinate clause expressing a belief or opinion. Ludwig AI confirms it's a grammatically correct and versatile phrase, suitable for a wide range of contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, where it is used to attribute beliefs to individuals or groups. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, be mindful of presenting beliefs as absolute facts. Explore alternatives like "thought that" or "was convinced that" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thought that

A simpler and more general alternative to "believed".

was convinced that

Replaces "believed" with a stronger sense of certainty or persuasion.

was of the opinion that

Offers a more formal and reasoned tone compared to "believed".

held the view that

Emphasizes a considered and potentially long-standing perspective.

felt that

Emphasizes the emotional or intuitive aspect of the belief.

maintained that

Suggests persistence in belief despite possible opposition.

considered that

Highlights a process of contemplation or assessment leading to a belief.

understood that

Suggests a belief stemming from comprehension or insight.

was under the impression that

Implies a belief based on incomplete or potentially misleading information.

presumed that

Indicates a belief based on probability or likelihood, rather than concrete evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "believed that" in a sentence?

Use "believed that" to introduce a statement or idea that someone accepted as true. For example, "She "believed that" hard work would lead to success."

What are some alternatives to "believed that"?

You can use alternatives like "thought that", "was convinced that", or "held the view that" to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

Is it more appropriate to use "believed that" or "believes that"?

The choice between "believed that" and "believes that" depends on the tense of the sentence. Use "believed that" for past beliefs and "believes that" for current beliefs.

What's the difference between "believed that" and "knew that"?

"Believed that" indicates an acceptance of something as true without necessarily having proof, while "knew that" implies certainty and often factual evidence.