he imagines that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he imagines that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing someone's thoughts or beliefs about a situation or scenario that may not be real or certain. Example: "He imagines that he will be successful in his new venture, despite the challenges ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

He imagines that some Turks are afraid to speak out.

The New York Times

But Joe is, I think, deluding himself if he imagines that this will make any difference.

The New York Times

He imagines that it would cross genres, combining autobiography with practical advice for actors.

The New Yorker

When Luke signs up for the Army, he imagines that it will transform him.

The New Yorker

In one standup routine, he imagines that his obsession with pop-culture minutiae might literally be the end of him.

The New Yorker

He imagines that if he hadn't been a radio celebrity he would have been a lawyer or a coach.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Does he imagine that is how it will feel?

The Guardian - Arts

Yes, he imagined that Wales was in Europe.

The Guardian - Music

He said he imagined that Wagner would approve of his production.

The New Yorker

Did he imagine that, as favoured court poet, he was safe from barbaric reprisal?

The Guardian - Books

He imagined that proceeds from wine production could fund the conversion of thousands of traditional hives to modern ones.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he imagines that" to convey a character's internal thoughts or predictions, especially when the reality of those thoughts is uncertain or speculative.

Common error

Avoid overuse; vary your language with synonyms like "he believes that", "he anticipates", or "he envisions" to maintain reader engagement and avoid repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he imagines that" functions as a reporting clause introducing a subjective thought, belief, or assumption of a male subject. As Ludwig confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and common in English writing. It is used to depict what someone is thinking, which might not be factual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he imagines that" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a subject's thoughts, beliefs, or speculations. As verified by Ludwig, it is commonly found in news, media, and literature, serving to convey subjective viewpoints and explore potential scenarios. While the phrase is widely accepted and understood, variations should be used to prevent overuse. Although prevalent across numerous source types, its use is most apparent in news & media, as well as science, showing that the phrase can adapt to several writing styles and tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he believes that

Replaces "imagines" with "believes", suggesting a stronger conviction.

he supposes that

Uses "supposes" instead of "imagines", indicating a less certain belief.

he assumes that

Substitutes "imagines" with "assumes", implying taking something for granted.

he presumes that

Replaces "imagines" with "presumes", suggesting a belief based on probability.

he anticipates that

Uses "anticipates" instead of "imagines", focusing on a future expectation.

he envisions that

Substitutes "imagines" with "envisions", implying a mental picture of the future.

he pictures that

Replaces "imagines" with "pictures", suggesting a vivid mental image.

he fancies that

Uses "fancies" instead of "imagines", indicating a whimsical or fanciful thought.

he conceives that

Substitutes "imagines" with "conceives", implying the formation of an idea.

he dreams that

Replaces "imagines" with "dreams", suggesting a wishful or unrealistic thought.

FAQs

How can I use "he imagines that" in a sentence?

Use "he imagines that" to introduce a thought, belief, or scenario that exists in someone's mind. For example, "He imagines that he will win the lottery someday".

What phrases are similar to "he imagines that"?

You can use alternatives like "he believes that", "he assumes that", or "he envisions that" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "he imagines that" and "he knows that"?

Yes, "he imagines that" suggests uncertainty or speculation, while "he knows that" implies a confirmed fact or certainty.

When is it appropriate to use "he imagines that" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to convey someone's internal thoughts, speculations, or beliefs that are not necessarily based on reality or confirmed information.