having believed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having believed that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a state of having accepted or held a belief about something in the past, often leading to a conclusion or action in the present. Example: "Having believed that the project would succeed, she invested her savings into it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The public can be forgiven for having believed that the manifesto was the party's position.

The Guardian - Opinion

Samantha considered herself romantic for having believed that "if you worked hard enough it would all come easily — the job, the apartment".

The New Yorker

Ahmed isn't so much offended as surprised, having believed that the restaurant was owned by Yacine, thanks to whose generosity he was daily given the lunch leftovers.

The New Yorker

SINCE the American invasion of Iraq in March 2003, many of those who vehemently opposed it have mocked America's neo-conservatives for having believed that the Iraqis would greet their foreign liberators with flowers and gratitude.

The Economist

Officials at the House said that they were stunned at the lawsuit, having believed that the loans would be permanent, and contested ownership of a small number of items.

The New York Times - Arts

And having believed that fraudulent late returns had cost him victory when he ran for the Senate seven years earlier against Gov. W. Lee O'Daniel, Mr. Johnson was determined not to be outfoxed again.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Ministers had believed that, as the North Sea ran down, new import infrastructure would bridge any gaps.

The Economist

Yet Blair must have believed that WMD existed, since even the peace lobby did.

The Guardian - Film

"Who would have believed that?

The New York Times - Sports

Well, who would have believed that?

Independent

I sincerely would not have believed that".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having believed that" to clearly indicate a past belief that influenced a current situation or decision. This construction adds nuance to your writing by highlighting the evolution of thought or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "having believed that" when the belief is still current. This phrase indicates a belief that was held in the past but may no longer be true or relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having believed that" functions as a participial phrase, specifically a perfect gerund phrase, which modifies a noun or pronoun by providing background information or context about a prior belief. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having believed that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a participial phrase indicating a past belief influencing a subsequent action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its proper use involves clearly conveying a temporal sequence. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using "having believed that", ensure the past belief is distinct from the current situation and that your writing benefits from highlighting this evolution of thought. Use alternative phrases such as "after believing that" or "on the assumption that" to add diversity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after believing that

Replaces the gerund form with a more explicit sequential structure.

because they believed that

Shifts the emphasis to the reason for the belief.

on the assumption that

Highlights the initial assumption as the basis for a subsequent action or state.

with the understanding that

Emphasizes a shared or agreed-upon belief.

in the belief that

Focuses on the belief itself as the driving force.

presuming that

Indicates a belief held without concrete proof.

assuming that

Similar to presuming, but can also imply a more casual acceptance.

considering that they believed

Adds an element of reflection or evaluation.

once they believed that

Highlights the point in time when the belief was held.

because of their belief that

Explicitly states the belief as the cause of something.

FAQs

How can I use "having believed that" in a sentence?

Use "having believed that" to introduce a past belief that influenced a subsequent action or state. For example, "Having believed that the stock would rise, he invested heavily."

What are some alternatives to "having believed that"?

You can use alternatives such as "after believing that", "because they believed that", or "on the assumption that depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "having" with "believed that"?

No, it's not always necessary. The "having" construction is used to emphasize that the belief occurred before the action or state being described. If the timing is clear from context, you might use simpler constructions like "because they believed that".

What's the difference between "having believed that" and "believing that"?

"Having believed that" implies a past belief that has influenced a subsequent action or state, while "believing that" describes a current belief. The first focuses on a belief already held and the second focuses on the ongoing belief. Example: "Believing that honesty is the best policy, she always tells the truth" (current belief).