believes that

USAGE SUMMARY

"believes that" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a belief or opinion that something is true. For example: "She believes that kindness is the most important quality in a person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"[Obama] believes that stuff.

The New York Times

No one believes that number.

The Economist

But Mr Houston believes that is overstated.

BBC

Adlington believes that is a scandal.

BBC

Taylor believes that will lift the teenager.

BBC

Every Catholic believes that".

Wikipedia

Black believes that Pepper is somehow involved.

Wikipedia

Coach Jim Mora believes that will change.

Los Angeles Times

Who believes that crap?

Huffington Post

"Newt believes that".

The New York Times

Nobody believes that".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "believes that" to clearly distinguish between factual statements and subjective opinions or convictions.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "believes that" in adjacent sentences. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "thinks", "asserts", or "contends" to maintain reader engagement and improve stylistic flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "believes that" serves as a verb phrase introducing a content clause. It indicates someone's opinion, conviction, or subjective assessment regarding a particular statement. Ludwig AI provides examples illustrating its use in conveying beliefs across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "believes that" is a versatile phrase used to express personal opinions or convictions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and prevalent in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "thinks that" or "is of the opinion that" for stylistic variation. Remember to attribute beliefs accurately and be mindful of the distinction between believing and knowing. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "believes that" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thinks that

Uses a different verb to convey a similar meaning of holding an opinion or belief.

is of the opinion that

Presents the belief as a formal opinion, adding a layer of authority or consideration.

holds the view that

Indicates a firmly held belief or perspective on a particular matter.

is convinced that

Emphasizes a strong sense of certainty or confidence in the belief.

maintains that

Suggests a persistent or unwavering adherence to a particular belief, even in the face of opposition.

asserts that

Presents the belief as a confident and forceful statement of fact.

posits that

Introduces the belief as a hypothesis or theory being proposed for consideration.

assumes that

Implies the belief is taken for granted without necessarily having concrete proof.

deems that

Presents the belief as a judgement or assessment made after careful consideration.

considers that

Suggests a thoughtful evaluation leading to a particular belief or conclusion.

FAQs

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

Use "believes that" to introduce someone's opinion or conviction about a particular subject. For example, "The scientist "believes that" climate change is a significant threat".

What are some alternatives to saying "believes that"?

You can use alternatives like "thinks that", "is of the opinion that", or "holds the view that" to express similar meanings with different nuances. For instance, consider using "thinks that" to show a general opinion or "is of the opinion that" for a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "believes in" instead of "believes that"?

"Believes in" typically refers to having faith or trust in something, while "believes that" refers to holding a specific opinion or conviction. You would say "She "believes in" the power of positive thinking", but "She "believes that" hard work leads to success".

What's the difference between "believes that" and "knows that"?

"Believes that" implies a subjective opinion or conviction, while "knows that" suggests a factual understanding based on evidence. Saying someone "knows that" something is true indicates a higher level of certainty than saying they ""believes that"" it is.