i started to believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started to believe" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a shift in your mindset or perspective, indicating that you began to have faith or confidence in something. Example: "After hearing her story, I started to believe that change was possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

I started to believe people.

Princeton University

I started to believe again.

The Guardian

And I started to believe it.

The Guardian

Then I started to believe her.

The Guardian - Opinion

Listening to that Schubert rendition, I started to believe it.

The Washington Post

Then I started to believe it could be a reality".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

God is testing my atheism by throwing pretty hefty thunderbolts my way to see how many it will take before I start to believe in him.

The Guardian - Opinion

But now he writes: "I start to believe our best bet would be to go bankrupt... so the IMF can impose proper rules on our economy again".

The Guardian

Only when England's lead edged past 230 did I start to believe they might have enough.

BBC

That observation begs the question, "How do I start to believe in myself?" For starters, you can let yourself off the hook.

Forbes

As I reap the benefits of his enthusiasms, I start to believe he is the Match.com of cooking.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I started to believe" to denote a shift in your perspective or conviction, often resulting from new information, experiences, or persuasion. Ensure the context clearly indicates what triggered this change.

Common error

Avoid using "I started to believe" without clearly explaining what prompted this change in belief. Providing the context will strengthen your statement and make it more meaningful for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started to believe" functions as a statement of evolving conviction. It indicates a transition from doubt or disbelief to a state where acceptance begins. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I started to believe" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that signals a shift in one's conviction or perspective. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable and useful in various contexts. It's predominantly found in news and media sources, followed by formal and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify what triggered the change in belief. Related phrases such as "I began to think" or "I came to realize" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i came to realize

Highlights the attainment of understanding, often through a gradual process of learning or observation.

i found myself believing

Highlights the unexpected or unintentional nature of adopting a new belief.

i began to think

Indicates the beginning of a thought process, implying a less firm conviction than "believe".

i was starting to think

Expresses an emerging thought or possibility, with less commitment than a full belief.

i began to suspect

Suggests a growing feeling based on intuition or incomplete evidence, rather than solid belief.

i was coming to the conclusion

Suggests a reasoned process leading to a particular belief or judgment.

i grew to accept

Emphasizes the gradual adaptation to an idea or situation, often involving initial resistance.

i was starting to understand

Focuses on the process of gaining comprehension, implying a shift in understanding rather than necessarily full belief.

i was persuaded that

Highlights the influence of an external force in shaping one's belief.

i had a change of heart

Emphasizes a complete reversal of opinion or feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "I started to believe" in a sentence?

Use "I started to believe" to express a change in your conviction, such as, "After seeing the evidence, "I started to believe" that the project would succeed."

What are some alternatives to "I started to believe"?

You can use phrases like "I began to think", "I came to realize", or "I grew to accept" as alternatives to "I started to believe", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "I began to believe" or "I started to believe"?

Both "I began to believe" and "I started to believe" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific rhythm of the sentence.

What's the difference between "I wanted to believe" and "I started to believe"?

"I wanted to believe" expresses a desire or hope to accept something as true, while ""I started to believe"" indicates that you actually began to accept it as true, often due to new information or experiences.