does not believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not believe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or skepticism about a statement, idea, or belief. Example: "She does not believe in the effectiveness of that method."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"MOSCOW Does Not Believe in Tears".

The Economist

Mr. Callaghan does not believe the stories.

The New York Times

And he does not believe easily".

The New York Times

Mr Chu does not believe in them.

The Economist

Mantel does not believe suffering ennobles.

The New York Times - Books

This country does not believe in torture.

The New York Times

Again, Marcello does not believe it.

Britannica

The president does not believe that.

The Washington Post

O'Keeffe does not believe in giving advice.

The New Yorker

Kennedy does not believe he is alone.

The Guardian

But Mr. Badillo does not believe it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "does not believe", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is disbelieving. Provide sufficient information to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "does not believe" implies complete rejection. It can also signify uncertainty or skepticism, not necessarily a firm denial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not believe" functions as a verbal phrase expressing negation of belief. It's used to indicate that a subject lacks conviction or trust in something. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples showing its consistent use in expressing disbelief.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does not believe" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express disbelief, doubt, or skepticism. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's versatile, appearing in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. To enhance clarity, make sure the context specifies what's being disbelieved. While synonyms like "is skeptical of" and "doubts" exist, "does not believe" remains a straightforward way to convey a lack of conviction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doubts

This alternative is a more concise and direct way to express a lack of belief.

is unconvinced

This alternative emphasizes that someone remains unpersuaded or not convinced.

is skeptical of

This alternative focuses on the feeling of doubt or questioning the validity of something.

is dubious about

Similar to skeptical, but can also imply uncertainty or hesitance.

rejects the idea

This alternative implies a more active and deliberate refusal to accept a concept.

questions the validity

This alternative specifically focuses on doubting the truth or accuracy of something.

disputes

This term suggests a more confrontational disagreement with a claim or belief.

lacks faith in

This alternative suggests a deficit of confidence or trust in something.

refuses to accept

This alternative implies a firm and intentional decision to not believe something.

is not persuaded

This alternative indicates that someone has not been convinced to believe something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "does not believe"?

You can use alternatives like "is skeptical of", "doubts", or "is unconvinced" depending on the context.

How to use "does not believe" in a sentence?

You can use "does not believe" to express a lack of conviction or certainty about something. For example: "She does not believe his story" or "He does not believe in ghosts".

What's the difference between "does not believe" and "disbelieves"?

"Does not believe" is a more common and less formal way of expressing disbelief. "Disbelieves" is a single word that conveys the same meaning, but can sound slightly more formal.

Is it grammatically correct to say "doesn't believe" instead of "does not believe"?

Yes, "doesn't believe" is a grammatically correct contraction of "does not believe" and is widely used in informal contexts.