far from believing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far from believing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express skepticism or doubt about a particular belief or idea. Example: "She was far from believing that the rumors were true, despite what others said."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Far from believing in the people of Britain, Corbyn's Labour Party would rather sympathise with the IRA than sing our national anthem to honour our brave armed forces".

Independent

Although his theoretical pronouncements on the supremacy of beauty suggest affinities with Gautier, Leconte de Lisle was far from believing that the subject matter of poetry was of no significance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Far from believing their depositions, the quality of these witnesses only underlines the importance of the means deployed by the United States Army to pervert the truth," he said.

The New York Times

They had caught a glimpse of themselves in a mirror, a mirror placed at a turning point where they had expected to see daylight and freedom, and though each of them, individually, was far from believing himself perfect, all had counted on the virtues of others to rescue them from themselves".

The New Yorker

Far from believing that human nature is essentially good or that human beings are fundamentally rational, conservatives tend to assume that human beings are driven by their passions and desires and are therefore naturally prone to selfishness, anarchy, irrationality, and violence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Far from believing that the camera never lies, we suspect that like our political leaders, it always does.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I have to be honest and say the last defeat was something that I was far away from believing was possible.

BBC

Regardless, these young men are leaving their blood somewhere, far from home, believing with all their hearts that they are fighting for the justice in the world.

Huffington Post

"Gorbachev's fine dream, which far from everybody believed in before the congress, appears to be slowly coming true," the press agency exulted.

The New York Times

But he says that far from being believed, he became the victim of a pernicious effort to discredit him and the issues he'd raised.

The Guardian

Even many of those who know that a two-state peace settlement is far from imminent believe that a binational state represents not a promise of democracy and coexistence but a blueprint for sectarian strife — Lebanon in the eighties, Yugoslavia in the nineties.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "far from believing", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject does not believe and why. Providing a contrasting viewpoint can enhance the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "far from believing" when a milder expression of doubt is more appropriate. This phrase communicates a strong sense of disbelief, so use it only when the situation warrants such emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far from believing" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, expressing a strong negation of belief. It indicates a state of considerable disbelief. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "far from believing" effectively conveys a strong sense of disbelief or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science contexts. Alternatives include phrases like "not convinced that" or "doubtful that", each with slightly different nuances. When using "far from believing", ensure it aligns with the level of disbelief you intend to communicate, as it implies a more potent negation than simple doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not convinced that

Emphasizes a lack of persuasion or certainty regarding a particular idea or statement.

doubtful that

Highlights uncertainty and questions the validity of something.

skeptical of

Implies a cautious or questioning attitude toward claims or assertions.

disinclined to believe

Suggests a reluctance or unwillingness to accept something as true.

hardly believing

Highlights how unlikely it is that the individual is ready to give credit to something.

not inclined to think

Expresses a leaning away from a particular belief or assumption.

unpersuaded that

Indicates that someone remains unconvinced despite presented arguments or evidence.

not of the opinion that

Denotes a difference in viewpoint or conviction on a particular matter.

questioning whether

Highlights the act of doubting or inquiring about the truth or accuracy of something.

not buying that

Informal way of saying that someone does not believe in something.

FAQs

How can I use "far from believing" in a sentence?

You can use "far from believing" to express that someone strongly does not believe something, often in contrast to what others might think. For example: "She was "far from believing" his excuses, given his history of dishonesty."

What are some alternatives to "far from believing"?

Alternatives include "not convinced that", "skeptical of", or "doubtful that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, being "skeptical of" something suggests a questioning attitude.

Is it better to use "not believing" or "far from believing"?

"Far from believing" conveys a stronger sense of disbelief than simply "not believing". The phrase "far from" adds emphasis and suggests a significant contrast or distance from belief.

What's the difference between "not believing" and "unbelieving"?

"Not believing" is a straightforward expression of disbelief. "Unbelieving" can describe someone who is generally skeptical or describes something that inspires disbelief. They are not interchangeable with ""far from believing"", which emphazises the distance to the believing part.