but believed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but believed that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a contrast between what someone thinks or feels and another idea or fact. Example: "She was skeptical of the plan but believed that it could work if everyone committed to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Eisenhower got wind of Israeli military preparations but believed that the blow would fall on Syria.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He said he was open to negotiation but believed that the city simply wanted to get rid of the contract.

The New York Times

Mr. Daschle said he was not wedded to any particular plan but believed that the incremental approach was not enough.

The New York Times

They said they had not yet positively identified the men, but believed that they were from the Allentown, Pa., area.

The New York Times

(Taha opposed the practice but believed that the colonial edict banning it would only make it more widespread).

The New Yorker

The Guardian's editor CP Scott supported votes for women but believed that the suffragettes' militant tactics harmed the cause.

The Guardian

Epicureans were not atheists, but believed that the gods had no interest in humanity or our world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fed officials knew that they were doing a bad thing, but believed that the alternative would be even worse.

The New York Times

The priest told the police that he did not know the couple, but believed that they might be parishioners.

The New York Times

He said this month that he was still examining the matter but believed that the union issue was indeed costing the state jobs.

The New York Times

The artists drew inspiration from surrealism, but believed that style promoted too much discussion and not enough action, Ms. Weitering said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but believed that", ensure the contrasting elements are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider rephrasing if the contrast is weak or unclear.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple clauses with "but believed that", as this can create convoluted sentences. Break down complex ideas into simpler statements for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but believed that" functions as a conjunctional phrase, connecting two clauses where the second clause presents a belief that contrasts with the information presented in the first clause. It introduces a sense of opposition, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but believed that" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce a contrasting belief or opinion. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and Wikipedia articles. It is essential to ensure that the contrasting elements are clear to avoid confusion and that sentences do not become overly complex through overuse. While versatile, writers should consider more formal alternatives like "however, considered that" for academic writing. Using Ludwig's examples, you can see how "but believed that" effectively conveys nuanced perspectives and differing viewpoints.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, considered that

Replaces "but believed that" with "however, considered that", offering a slightly more formal tone.

yet, was convinced that

Substitutes "but" with "yet" and "believed" with "was convinced", indicating a stronger degree of certainty.

nonetheless, thought that

Replaces "but" with "nonetheless" and "believed" with "thought", maintaining the contrast but with a more reflective tone.

even so, presumed that

Uses "even so" to introduce the contrasting element and "presumed" instead of "believed", suggesting a less firm conviction.

still, held the opinion that

Replaces "but believed that" with "still, held the opinion that", emphasizing the persistence of the belief.

nevertheless, had faith that

Substitutes "but believed that" with "nevertheless, had faith that", conveying a sense of optimism despite the contrast.

in spite of that, maintained that

Replaces "but believed that" with "in spite of that, maintained that", underscoring the insistence on the belief.

despite this, was of the view that

Uses "despite this, was of the view that" instead of "but believed that", providing a more detached and analytical perspective.

contrary to that, it was his understanding that

Replaces "but believed that" with "contrary to that, it was his understanding that", offering a formal and somewhat indirect expression of belief.

on the other hand, he was of the opinion that

Replaces "but believed that" with "on the other hand, he was of the opinion that", introducing a contrasting viewpoint in a balanced way.

FAQs

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

Use "but believed that" to introduce a contrasting opinion or belief following a statement. For example, "He was skeptical of the data, "but believed that" further research could yield positive results."

What are some alternatives to "but believed that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "however thought that", "yet was convinced that", or "nonetheless considered that", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but"?

While traditionally discouraged, starting a sentence with "but" is now widely accepted in modern writing, especially for emphasis or to create a conversational tone. Using "but believed that" to begin a sentence can be effective but should be done sparingly.

What's the difference between "but believed that" and "although thought that"?

"But believed that" presents a direct contrast, while "although thought that" introduces a concession. "But believed that" emphasizes the conflicting belief, whereas "although thought that" acknowledges a differing perspective before stating the belief.