existing beliefs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "existing beliefs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to beliefs that people currently have, as opposed to beliefs that may change in the future. For example: "The study challenges existing beliefs about the effectiveness of the drug."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Therefore, people will seek information that supports their existing beliefs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

People apply motivated reasoning processes to selectively accept the information that supports their existing beliefs.

The Guardian

"The evidence suggests that events like "climategate" tend to reinforce existing beliefs," he said.

The Guardian

Existing beliefs can include one's expectations in a given situation and predictions about a particular outcome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But instead of helping us challenge existing views, the digital information bubble confirms existing beliefs, making us more narrow-minded.

The Guardian

Psychologists call this Confirmation Bias – our weird tendency to only notice information that confirms our existing beliefs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Ultimately, that includes attachment to doctrines, but discarding them too soon means that pre-existing beliefs and prevailing opinion go unchallenged.

The Guardian - Opinion

Evidence isn't labeled with dates and facts; we arrive at conclusions about the unobservable past based on our pre-existing beliefs.

The New York Times

It is also an example of what psychologists call confirmation bias, in which we overweight evidence that fits our pre-existing beliefs and ignore evidence that does not.

The New York Times

Yet it's not clear that journalists can solve the problems they describe, especially as increasing numbers of voters consume partisan "news" that affirms their pre-existing beliefs.

The New York Times - Books

Most voters look for evidence confirming their pre-existing beliefs.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about changing perspectives, use "existing beliefs" to clearly contrast them with new or evolving viewpoints.

Common error

Avoid using "existing beliefs" when you actually mean novel or emerging insights. The phrase highlights established, pre-held ideas, not innovative ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "existing beliefs" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. It identifies the pre-held ideas or convictions that individuals or groups possess. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "existing beliefs" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that effectively captures the notion of pre-held convictions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Its prevalence across diverse fields like news, science, and encyclopedias underscores its versatility. When incorporating "existing beliefs" in your writing, remember that it refers to established ideas, in contrast to nascent opinions. Keep this in mind as you incorporate it into your writing, and consider alternatives such as "preconceived notions" or "prior assumptions" to provide clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preconceived notions

Emphasizes the idea of beliefs formed beforehand, often without sufficient evidence.

established convictions

Highlights the firmness and long-standing nature of the beliefs.

ingrained beliefs

Stresses how deeply rooted and difficult to change the beliefs are.

pre-existing ideas

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the ideas, emphasizing they existed before.

prior assumptions

Underscores the role of beliefs as a foundation for reasoning and decision-making.

held views

A general term for beliefs that someone possesses or maintains.

received wisdom

Implies beliefs that have been passed down and widely accepted, often uncritically.

traditional beliefs

Highlights beliefs rooted in custom or long-standing practice.

conventional wisdom

Suggests beliefs that are widely accepted and considered standard.

accepted norms

Focuses on beliefs that align with societal standards and expectations.

FAQs

How to use "existing beliefs" in a sentence?

You can use "existing beliefs" to describe the ideas or convictions someone already holds, as in: "The research challenges "existing beliefs" about climate change".

What can I say instead of "existing beliefs"?

Alternatives include "preconceived notions", "established convictions", or "prior assumptions", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "existing beliefs" or "existed beliefs"?

"Existing beliefs" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Existed beliefs" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "existing beliefs" and "personal opinions"?

"Existing beliefs" generally refers to a broader set of convictions that shape understanding, while "personal opinions" are individual viewpoints on specific matters. An example of "personal opinions" could be an opinion on a restaurant.