falsely believe that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "falsely believe that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing misconceptions or incorrect beliefs held by someone. Example: "Many people falsely believe that success comes without hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Or it could mean researchers "falsely believe" that NINDS is not interested in basic studies and they have a better shot at being funded if they propose disease-focused or applied studies.

Science Magazine

However, recent evidence obtained using the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm for eliciting false memory experiences suggests that individuals can falsely believe that events occurred mere seconds in the past when they in fact did not.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Some falsely believe that growth mindset is something you either have, or you don't.

Harvard Business Review

The amendments and the referendum marked the beginning of a process that led Egyptians and the world to falsely believe that Egypt was being democratized.

The New York Times

Those outside often falsely believe that they are not at risk, even though they account for about a quarter of all flood insurance claims.

The New York Times

While an effective guard will allow workers to be more comfortable around machinery, a poorly designed or inadequate guard is very dangerous because workers falsely believe that it will protect them.

Safety and Health Essentials Safety and Health Essentials for Small Businesses

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

When she sees that you're on fire, she throws gasoline on you because she falsely believes that will put out the fire.

Vice

If she sees you're drowning, she throws water in your face, because she falsely believes that will help you breathe.

Vice

They had falsely believed that unregulated capitalism could dodge the bullet of depression.

The New York Times

A shepherd, Celadon, tries to win back the heart of Astrea, who falsely believes that Celadon has been unfaithful.

Independent

By wrapping guns and crosses in American flags, they derive power from falsely believing that they represent the "real America".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "falsely believe that", ensure that you provide evidence or context to demonstrate the falsity of the belief. This strengthens your argument and avoids simple assertions.

Common error

Avoid generalizations. Just because some people "falsely believe that" something is true doesn't mean that most people do. Qualify your statements with phrases like "some people" or "many individuals" to avoid sweeping claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "falsely believe that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It indicates that someone holds a belief that is demonstrably untrue. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "falsely believe that" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for highlighting a mistaken belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for various contexts. While used across many domains, it's particularly prevalent in news, scientific, and academic writing. When employing the phrase, remember to provide supporting evidence to showcase why the belief is indeed false and avoid overgeneralizations about how widely held the belief is. Alternatives such as "mistakenly assume that" or "incorrectly think that" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mistakenly assume that

Focuses on the assumption aspect of the belief, implying a lack of proper foundation.

wrongly presume that

Highlights the presumption involved in the belief, suggesting a possible overreach.

incorrectly think that

Emphasizes the incorrectness of the thought process leading to the belief.

erroneously conclude that

Stresses the flawed reasoning that results in a false belief.

labor under the misapprehension that

Implies a persistent and burdensome misunderstanding.

be under the illusion that

Suggests that the belief is based on a deceptive appearance or fantasy.

have a false impression that

Highlights the superficial nature of the incorrect understanding.

be deluded into thinking that

Emphasizes the deceptive process that has led to the false belief.

cherish the misconception that

Indicates a fond attachment to an incorrect idea.

operate under the assumption that

Indicates action based on a potentially flawed understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "falsely believe that" in a sentence?

Use "falsely believe that" to indicate someone holds a belief that is not true. For example, "Many people "falsely believe that" success comes easily, but it requires hard work and dedication."

What can I say instead of "falsely believe that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "mistakenly assume that", "wrongly presume that", or "incorrectly think that", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "falsely believe"?

While belief implies acceptance of something as true, adding "falsely" emphasizes the incorrectness of the belief. The phrase is not strictly redundant and serves to underscore the error in thinking.

What's the difference between "falsely believe that" and "genuinely believe that"?

"Falsely believe that" indicates that the belief is untrue, regardless of the believer's sincerity. "Genuinely believe that" indicates sincerity in holding the belief, without commenting on its truthfulness. One can "genuinely believe that" something is true, but still be wrong.