instill belief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instill belief" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of fostering or encouraging a sense of trust or confidence in someone or something. Example: "The teacher worked hard to instill belief in her students, encouraging them to pursue their dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

C.E.O.'s who think their job is to instill belief in their vision also think that it is their job to get everyone to buy into it.

The New York Times

The chapel's iconography centers on the ascent of St. Ignatius from his earthly mission to instill belief in Jesus Christ to his final glory in heaven.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not intended to instill belief, and avoids promoting a "true" religion.

Huffington Post

And lastly, tell your story in a honest, humble and vulnerable way so others can know your struggles and how you overcame them to change your life like I did when I grew through pain to teach others never to give up on themselves and instill belief where it used to be nonexistent.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Even in the Gorgias, as we have seen, there is a distinction between rhetoric that instills belief, and rhetoric that instills knowledge, and later in the dialogue a form of noble rhetoric is mentioned, though no examples of its practitioners can be found (503a-b).

SEP

But surely there are two kinds of persuasion, one that instills beliefs merely, and another that produces knowledge; it is the former only with which rhetoric is concerned.

SEP

It has taken strong leadership from its principal, John Bennetti, to turn things around — to instill the belief that education can be a ticket out of poverty.

The New York Times

Gathering a bunch of retreads, Jimmy McGinty Gene Hackmann) coach of the Washington Sentinels, tries to instill a belief that it isn't too late for any of his rejects to win one for their self-esteem.

The New York Times

"If we can instill the belief that it is intolerable that any woman should die even in the most remote village," explains Arrowsmith, "then strategies can be put into place where local people look to maximise the effectiveness of any resource in getting a woman help when she desperately needs it".

The Guardian

As a corrective, Buckley proposed eliminating the "superstition" of academic freedom, turning control of the curriculum over to the university's trustees, firing any professor whose views they disapproved of, and reviving the school's original "mission" to instill a "belief in God, and a recognition of the merits of our economic system".

The New Yorker

As an educator and, specifically, as a writing teacher, it is my highest goal to instill the belief in each of my students that their voices, their words, their ideas make an impact.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "instill belief" when you want to emphasize the act of gradually and deliberately introducing or fostering a particular conviction or trust in someone or something.

Common error

While "instill belief" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "cultivate" or "foster" to maintain a more nuanced and sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instill belief" functions as a verb phrase where "instill" acts as a transitive verb, taking "belief" as its direct object. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, indicating its role in conveying the act of establishing a conviction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instill belief" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the action of gradually fostering trust or conviction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for various contexts. When writing, consider synonyms like "foster" or "cultivate" for nuanced tones, and avoid overuse in strictly formal settings. This phrase is a valuable tool for expressing the deliberate shaping of convictions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foster belief

Replaces "instill" with a more general term for encouraging the development of belief.

cultivate belief

Suggests a more gradual and careful process of nurturing belief.

promote belief

Emphasizes the active encouragement and dissemination of belief.

implant belief

Implies a more direct and forceful introduction of belief.

engender belief

Focuses on the creation and origin of belief.

inculcate belief

Highlights the repetitive teaching of belief.

generate belief

Similar to 'engender belief', but with a more active connotation.

inspire faith

Shifts the focus to faith, implying a more spiritual or emotional connection.

foment belief

Implies stirring up or instigating belief, sometimes with a sense of excitement or urgency.

plant the seed of belief

Uses a metaphorical expression that emphasizes the initial stage of belief development.

FAQs

How can I use "instill belief" in a sentence?

You can use "instill belief" to describe the action of gradually causing someone to accept a set of ideas or principles, like in "The coach aimed to "instill belief" in his team's abilities".

What are some alternatives to "instill belief"?

Some alternatives to "instill belief" include "foster belief", "cultivate belief", or "inspire faith", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "instill belief" or "instill confidence"?

Both "instill belief" and "instill confidence" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Instill belief" refers to establishing a conviction, while "instill confidence" refers to building assurance in one's abilities.

What's the difference between "instill belief" and "teach belief"?

"Instill belief" implies a gradual and often subtle process of imparting a conviction, whereas "teach belief" suggests a more direct and instructional approach.