given to believing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "given to believing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a tendency or inclination to believe in something, often without skepticism. Example: "She is often given to believing in the goodness of people, even when they have let her down before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Experts say they portray McCarthy as a man increasingly given to believing the conspiracy theories he set out to investigate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We were given to believe that we could do anything to which we set our minds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The worst was over — or so we were given to believe.

The New York Times

(Be honest. What you are given to believe about an art work is going to color your experience of it).

The New Yorker

"I was given to believe he didn't want to be part of the England set-up.

Independent

When people have access to specific kinds of unsubstantiated rumours then they will be given to believe them more, and the information will continue to spread.

Independent

When I first wrote about the Magnitsky act in April, I was given to believe that it would sail through, so I diverted my attention elsewhere.

The New York Times

They are given the rewards for getting into the hierarchical system, and they're given to believe they're building heaven on earth.

The New Yorker

In talks with with community groups, Cross added, "We haven't been given to believe that this is impossible or unfeasible".

The New York Times - Sports

Their liberal critics deny this, or at least deny that good reasons have been given to believe this.

SEP

Texts within the Mappæ Clavicula and Compositiones Lucenses traditions are at first sight so intertwined that one is initially given to believe that they are simply different arrangements of the same fragments of text.

Heritage Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "given to believing" to describe someone who is predisposed to accepting ideas or information without critical evaluation.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "given to believing" can sometimes sound judgmental in formal writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "inclined to believe" or "tends to believe" to maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given to believing" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating a characteristic or tendency of that noun (typically a person) to readily accept beliefs. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes someone with a tendency or inclination to believe in something, often without skepticism.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "given to believing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone who readily accepts beliefs, sometimes without critical evaluation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While common in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, it's essential to be mindful of the register, especially in more formal settings where alternatives like "inclined to believe" might be more appropriate. It’s useful for characterizing a person's tendency, but avoid overuse to maintain objectivity. The frequency of use is considered common based on the examples found.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inclined to believe

This alternative focuses on a natural tendency or disposition toward believing something.

susceptible to believing

Emphasizes the vulnerability or sensitivity to accepting certain beliefs.

prone to believing

Highlights a susceptibility or vulnerability to believing something, often implying a lack of critical thinking.

vulnerable to believing

This suggests a weakness or defenselessness against adopting certain beliefs.

apt to believe

Suggests a likelihood or probability of believing something, often due to inherent characteristics.

tends to believe

Describes a habitual or recurring pattern of believing something.

easily convinced

Focuses on the ease with which someone's beliefs can be swayed or influenced.

credulous

Implies a readiness to believe things without sufficient evidence.

gullible

Highlights a lack of sophistication or discernment, making someone easily deceived.

naive

Indicates a lack of experience or worldliness, leading to a tendency to believe things at face value.

FAQs

What does "given to believing" mean?

The phrase "given to believing" describes someone who has a tendency or inclination to believe things readily, sometimes without sufficient evidence or critical analysis.

What can I say instead of "given to believing"?

You can use alternatives like "inclined to believe", "prone to believing", or "apt to believe" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "given to believing" a formal or informal expression?

While grammatically correct, "given to believing" can sometimes sound informal or even slightly judgmental. In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "inclined to believe" or "susceptible to believing".

How to use "given to believing" in a sentence?

Example: "Experts say they portray McCarthy as a man increasingly "given to believing" the conspiracy theories he set out to investigate."