it may believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it may believe" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the possibility of someone or something having a belief or opinion about a certain matter. Example: "In this context, it may believe that the outcome will be favorable based on previous experiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It may believe its image says "we are the Borg," but to me it says "we are the slobs," and we're not interested in running a business.

Huffington Post

My assumption is that at some point in the coming weeks, Verizon will make an offer to Vodafone to buy this stake - and may also make its offer known, because it may believe that Vodafone's shareholders would put pressure on Vodafone's management to crystallise the valuation of the company's assets.

BBC

Given the abject failure of much of the western media to scrutinise its actions – at least until it's too late – it may believe it can get away with it.

The Guardian - Opinion

It may believe there are other interested parties and wants a "seat at the table".

The Guardian - Business

Rather than wait for what it may believe is an inevitable Israeli-US strike, Tehran could decide to retaliate first.

The Guardian

It may believe the hardest battles have been fought and the future, relatively speaking, has been assured on a platitudinous wave of good intentions.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I am thinking of the one in a million people who see it who may believe that terrorism is the answer".

The Guardian

If someone finds it, they may believe.

WikiHow

Contrary to what we "having it all" women may believe: It's not about the kids, the biological clock or even the female versus male dynamic.

Huffington Post

They may believe it is healthier or more environmentally friendly.

The New York Times

The executives of the bank may believe it is stable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it may believe", ensure the subject "it" is clearly defined in the context to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify which entity holds the potential belief.

Common error

Avoid using "it may believe" when the evidence strongly suggests a definite belief. Opt for phrases like "it likely believes" or "it certainly believes" to reflect the appropriate level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may believe" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or uncertainty regarding the subject's belief. It qualifies a statement, suggesting the belief is not confirmed but plausible. This usage is supported by Ludwig, indicating the phrase is valid.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it may believe" is a grammatically correct and valid construction used to express a possibility or speculation regarding a subject's belief. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While not exceedingly common, it offers a nuanced way to convey uncertainty or conjecture. When employing this phrase, clarity in subject definition and awareness of the level of certainty are crucial to avoid ambiguity or misrepresentation. Remember to select this phrase when speculation, rather than a statement of fact, is what you intend to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might believe

Replaces 'may' with 'might', suggesting a slightly lower degree of possibility.

it could believe

Substitutes 'may' with 'could', indicating a potential but not certain belief.

it might think

Replaces 'believe' with 'think', softening the certainty of the belief.

it could think

Uses 'could' and 'think' to suggest a possible thought or consideration.

it possibly believes

Inserts 'possibly' to emphasize the uncertainty of the belief.

it is possible that it believes

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the possibility of the belief.

it presumes

Replaces the entire phrase with 'it presumes', indicating an assumption.

it assumes

Uses 'assumes' instead of 'believes' to highlight the lack of concrete evidence.

it surmises

Replaces the phrase with 'it surmises', implying a conjecture or inference.

it imagines

Uses 'imagines' to suggest that the belief might be based on fantasy rather than reality.

FAQs

How can I use "it may believe" in a sentence?

You can use "it may believe" to express a possibility or conjecture about what someone or something thinks or assumes. For example, "The company "it may believe" that this new strategy will increase profits.".

What are some alternatives to saying "it may believe"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it might think", "it could believe", "it possibly believes", or "it assumes", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it may believe" formal or informal?

"It may believe" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The overall tone of your writing determines the suitability of the phrase.

What's the difference between "it may believe" and "it believes"?

"It believes" indicates a definite belief, while "it may believe" suggests a possibility or uncertainty about the belief. The former is a statement of fact (or presumed fact), while the latter is a speculation.