capable of believing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capable of believing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone’s ability or capacity to hold beliefs or have faith in something. Example: "Despite the overwhelming evidence, she remained capable of believing in the impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

They are capable of believing anything-even that MacArthur was popular among the Japanese.

The New Yorker

Asked if she was capable of believing otherwise, Davis said: "No".

The Guardian

I am capable of believing in some but not all of those, however, but only because of something else.

The Guardian - Opinion

GK Chesterton once wrote "When men choose not to believe in God, they do not thereafter believe in nothing, they then become capable of believing in anything".

The Guardian

"We are all capable of believing things which we know to be untrue, and then, when we are finally proved wrong, impudently twisting the facts so as to show that we were right.

The New York Times

They were not alone as brilliant men, naturally creative, yet hardly capable of believing in what they might do in the poisoned dawn of concentration camps and atom bombs.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The man is not capable of being believed". Walter called no witnesses after Assistant U.S. Atty.

Los Angeles Times

The prosecutors say that "there is clear evidence, capable of being believed by a tribunal of fact in a court of law, of systematic torture and killing of detained persons by the agents of the Syrian government".

Vice

"If that works, it'll be incredible," said JT, who is right, but not in the way he means, since it is true only in the exact meaning of the word incredible: not capable of being believed.

Huffington Post

Timed to influence the direction of the talks, the legal panel of experts who examined the evidence claim the report shows that "there is clear evidence, capable of being believed by a tribunal of fact in a court of law, of systematic torture and killing of detained persons by the agents of the Syrian government".

Vice

Jobs is undeniably both brilliant and impossible, capable of making underlings believe he is either the devil or a hero.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "capable of believing", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intended nuance, whether it implies a general capacity or a specific instance of belief. For example, "Humans are generally capable of believing in abstract concepts" versus "He was capable of believing her lies".

Common error

Avoid using "capable of believing" when the situation implies extreme gullibility or lack of critical thinking. Using alternative phrases like "gullible" or "easily deceived" may be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capable of believing" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone or something that possesses the ability or capacity to hold a particular belief. Ludwig examples show the phrase being used in contexts describing a person's ability to accept ideas or have faith in something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Books

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Opinion

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capable of believing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes the ability to hold or accept a particular belief. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is often found in contexts relating to news, media, and books, with a neutral register suitable for various forms of writing. It’s important to consider the specific connotations when using this phrase, ensuring it accurately reflects the intended level of credulity or open-mindedness. Related phrases, such as "able to accept" or "inclined to think", can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the desired meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to accept

Focuses on the ability to receive and consider something as true.

apt to believe

Highlights a natural tendency or inclination toward belief.

disposed to accept

Implies a readiness or willingness to embrace an idea.

inclined to think

Suggests a leaning towards a particular viewpoint or belief.

likely to be convinced

Emphasizes the probability of someone adopting a belief.

prone to trust

Emphasizes a vulnerability or susceptibility to believing others.

prepared to credit

Focuses on the readiness to attribute truth or validity to something.

open to persuasion

Indicates a willingness to be convinced or influenced.

amenable to believing

Suggests a willingness to agree or comply with a belief.

susceptible to faith

Highlights a sensitivity or vulnerability to having faith.

FAQs

How can I use "capable of believing" in a sentence?

You can use "capable of believing" to describe someone's ability to hold beliefs or have faith in something. For example: "Despite the evidence, she was still capable of believing in his innocence."

What are some alternatives to "capable of believing"?

Alternatives include "able to accept", "inclined to think", or "prone to trust", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "capable of believing" and "believable"?

"Capable of believing" describes the ability of a person or entity to believe something, while "believable" describes the quality of something being easy to believe. For example, "She is capable of believing anything" versus "His story was not believable".

Is it correct to say someone is "capable of believing" something untrue?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase does not imply the truthfulness of the belief, only the capacity to hold that belief, regardless of its veracity. As Ludwig examples show, humans are often "capable of believing things which we know to be untrue".