ceasing to believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ceasing to believe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of stopping or discontinuing a belief or conviction about something. Example: "After years of doubt, she found herself ceasing to believe in the promises made by the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It is overwhelmingly clear that cheating within the sport is so widespread that the general public is on the verge of ceasing to believe what it is seeing.

Independent

Without ceasing to believe in them, he should put his belief out of action in order to focus upon the sheer appearances of houses, trees, and people, which then become tantamount to the existence of his awareness of them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"With every passing day, more and more Russians are ceasing to believe that the results of the elections were honest," Mr. Gorbachev said in an interview with the Interfax news agency.

The New York Times

Clearly, I can lose part of my body without ceasing to believe and know things.

SEP

Were I to comply with Closure by forming the belief (3), I would, according to Weak, thereby cease to intend to E. In ceasing to believe (2), I would cease to be instrumentally incoherent.

SEP

And in ceasing to believe (1) (which, if Self-Knowledge is true, would mean that it is no longer the case that I do not intend to M) I would also cease to be instrumentally incoherent.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Now I had ceased to believe in it altogether.

The New York Times

"I've ceased to believe in evil, only in illness.

The Guardian - Books

Yet he never ceased to believe that "this war is trivial, for all its vastness.

The Guardian

Will the high-born ever cease to believe that they weren't simply born better?

The Guardian - Opinion

He believed then and never ceased to believe that the war was winnable if fought with sound tactics and strategy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ceasing to believe" when you want to emphasize a deliberate or gradual process of losing conviction in something, rather than a sudden or immediate disbelief.

Common error

Avoid using "ceasing to believe" when describing a sudden realization or discovery that something is untrue. Opt for phrases like "realizing the truth" or "discovering the facts" instead, to better convey the immediate shift in understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ceasing to believe" functions as a gerund phrase, typically serving as a noun in a sentence. It describes the act of discontinuing belief, often implying a gradual process. Ludwig provides examples where it acts as the subject or part of a larger phrase expressing a shift in conviction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ceasing to believe" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of gradually losing faith or conviction. According to Ludwig AI, it appears most frequently in news and media, science, and encyclopedia sources. While grammatically correct, it's essential to consider the context and ensure that it accurately reflects a gradual shift in belief, rather than a sudden realization. Alternatives like "giving up belief" or "losing faith" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Understanding these nuances will help you use the phrase effectively and accurately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stopping believing

Focuses on the act of stopping a belief, emphasizing the immediate cessation.

giving up belief

Highlights the act of relinquishing or abandoning a belief.

abandoning faith

Emphasizes the abandonment of a deeply held conviction or religious belief.

losing faith

Suggests a gradual decline or erosion of belief over time.

becoming disillusioned

Implies a loss of faith or trust due to disappointment or a realization of falseness.

rejecting a belief

Highlights the active and conscious dismissal of a belief.

discrediting a notion

Focuses on undermining the credibility or validity of a concept or idea.

renouncing a conviction

Emphasizes a formal or public rejection of a previously held conviction.

forsaking belief

Suggests a complete and permanent abandonment of a belief.

questioning faith

Refers to a state of doubting or scrutinizing one's beliefs, potentially leading to their abandonment.

FAQs

How can I use "ceasing to believe" in a sentence?

You can use "ceasing to believe" to describe the process of gradually losing faith or trust in something. For example, "After years of broken promises, many voters found themselves "ceasing to believe" in the politician's sincerity."

What is a good alternative to "ceasing to believe"?

Alternatives include "giving up belief", "losing faith", or "becoming disillusioned", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "ceasing to believe" and "stopping believing"?

"Ceasing to believe" implies a more gradual or reflective process of losing faith, while "stopping believing" suggests a more immediate or conscious decision to discontinue belief. Both are valid but carry slightly different connotations.

When is it appropriate to use "ceasing to believe" rather than "rejecting"?

Use "ceasing to believe" when describing a fading of conviction over time. Opt for "rejecting" when referring to a conscious and deliberate dismissal of an idea or belief.