believed the idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "believed the idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that someone accepted or had faith in a particular concept or notion. Example: "After much discussion, she finally believed the idea that collaboration could lead to better results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Liaowang, a magazine published by Xinhua, said Chinese scholars believed the idea "would do harm rather than good".

The Economist

Yet, he believed the idea of creating a specialist national unit on digital crime was not the answer.

The Guardian

Nick Bubb, a retail analyst, believed the idea of making deliveries by drone was impractical and had questionable economics.

The Guardian - Tech

But here's the non-intuitive thing: Even though liberals believed the idea to be absurd, they were nonetheless lured into the conservative frame.

University of California, Berkeley

He joined the Communist Party even after his father's execution, because he believed the idea of communism to be purer than Communists.

The New York Times

Zimbabwean political analyst Vince Musewe told the Guardian last month, however, that he believed the idea that Grace Mugabe might succeed her husband was a "sideshow".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The managers who believed the ideas were internal thought they were 36% more likely to lose status than managers who believed the ideas were external.

Harvard Business Review

Leading rider Ryan Moore believes the idea seems a "sensible" option.

The Guardian - Sport

Finally, almost any source can be used as evidence that someone believes the idea you quote.

Yale University

Where do critics of the "mother school" believe the idea of a mother culture came from?

The New York Times

Smith believes the idea that 50,000 people would easily find jobs is "utter bullshit".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "believed the idea" when you want to emphasize that someone genuinely accepted or had faith in a concept, often in contrast to doubt or skepticism. For example, "Despite the evidence, he still believed the idea that hard work always leads to success."

Common error

Avoid using "believed the idea" when you actually mean that someone simply considered or explored an idea without necessarily accepting it as true. For example, instead of saying "He believed the idea of quitting his job," say "He considered the idea of quitting his job" if he was only thinking about it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believed the idea" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of mind or conviction. It signifies that someone accepted or considered something as true or valid. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "believed the idea" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that someone accepted a particular concept as true. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. It appears frequently in news, academic, and wiki contexts. To ensure clarity, use it when genuine acceptance is intended, and consider alternatives like "accepted the concept" or "embraced the thought" for nuanced meanings. Avoid confusing it with merely considering an idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accepted the concept

Emphasizes agreement and incorporation of a concept into one's understanding.

endorsed the notion

Highlights support and approval of an idea.

embraced the thought

Suggests a willing and enthusiastic acceptance of an idea.

was convinced of the concept

Focuses on the process of becoming certain about the idea.

held the conviction that

Implies a strong and unwavering belief in the idea.

took the idea seriously

Underlines the importance and consideration given to the idea.

assumed the premise

Suggests accepting the idea as a basis for reasoning or action.

presumed the validity of the idea

Highlights the acceptance of the idea as being correct or true.

considered the proposition

Emphasizes the act of thinking about the idea.

entertained the possibility

Suggests a willingness to consider the idea, even if not fully convinced.

FAQs

How can I use "believed the idea" in a sentence?

You can use "believed the idea" to express that someone accepted a concept as true or possible. For example, "She "believed the idea" that kindness could change the world".

What can I say instead of "believed the idea"?

You can use alternatives like "accepted the concept", "endorsed the notion", or "embraced the thought" depending on the context.

Is it more common to say "believed the idea" or "believed in the idea"?

"Believed the idea" and "believed in the idea" have slightly different connotations. "Believed the idea" suggests acceptance of a concept, while "believed in the idea" implies faith or conviction in the concept's potential or value.

What's the difference between "believed the idea" and "considered the idea"?

"Believed the idea" indicates acceptance of a concept, while "considered the idea" simply means someone thought about it without necessarily accepting it. Considering is a preliminary step; believing is a form of acceptance.