by believing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by believing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the means or method by which something is achieved, often in contexts related to faith, trust, or acceptance. Example: "You can overcome your fears by believing in your own strength and abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But we start off by believing them".

The Guardian

And we are confusing ourselves by believing that they are.

Independent

By believing, coach, that the impossible is possible.

The Guardian - Sport

They begin by believing they can care for it all by some means.

The New York Times - Books

Gibney began by believing Assange was just such an unblemished hero.

Independent

But in the last analysis, people are sustained by believing in something".

The New York Times - Arts

She repaid him by believing in his work, and needling him to finish the book.

The Guardian - Books

Israel survives, paradoxically, by believing that the struggle for survival will never end.

The Guardian

"I justify using them by believing that pain avoidance is more important than additional (and marginal) increased comfort".

The New York Times - Travel

Crucially, we perpetuate the problem by believing we have no responsibilities to those less fortunate than us.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They chanted "Mar-cus Cam-by," believing their team had back its vaunted wingspan, its defensive heart.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by believing" to clearly indicate that a particular outcome or achievement is directly linked to having a strong belief in something. For example, "You can achieve your goals by believing in your abilities."

Common error

Avoid implying that belief alone is sufficient to achieve any outcome. While belief is important, it often needs to be coupled with action, planning, and realistic expectations. Saying "You can fly by believing you can" is misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by believing" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause to indicate the means or method by which an action is accomplished. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by believing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that signifies achieving an outcome through faith or conviction. Ludwig AI validates its proper and consistent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. Although versatile, ensure the context justifies belief as a key factor. While alternatives like "through belief" or "by having faith" exist, "by believing" directly links the action to the power of belief. Remember, as Ludwig's analysis indicates, belief is a powerful catalyst, but it often requires complementary actions for tangible results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through belief

Emphasizes the act of believing as the means to achieve a result, using a different preposition.

by having faith

Replaces "believing" with "having faith", highlighting trust and confidence as the means.

through conviction

Substitutes "believing" with "conviction", focusing on a strong and firm belief.

by trusting

Replaces "believing" with "trusting", emphasizing reliance and confidence in someone or something.

with the belief that

Expands the phrase to specify that the action is done with a particular belief in mind.

on the basis of belief

Highlights that the action is founded on a specific belief.

believing that

Uses a gerund phrase to introduce the belief that leads to a particular action.

through acceptance

Emphasizes accepting something as a means to an end.

by accepting

Highlights accepting something as a means to an end, but slightly shorter.

in the belief that

Similar to "with the belief that", but with a slightly different structure.

FAQs

How can I use "by believing" in a sentence?

Use "by believing" to show that something is achieved through faith, trust, or conviction. For example, "You can overcome obstacles "by believing" in yourself."

What are some alternatives to saying "by believing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "through belief", "by having faith", or "through conviction".

Is it always appropriate to use "by believing"?

While grammatically correct, using "by believing" can sometimes oversimplify complex situations. Ensure that the context supports the idea that belief is a primary driver of the outcome.

What is the difference between "by believing" and "believing in"?

"By believing" indicates that an outcome is achieved through the act of believing, whereas "believing in" signifies having faith or trust in something or someone. For example, you might achieve success ""by believing"" in your plan, and you achieve success "believing in" your team.