knowingly believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "knowingly believe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone is aware of the truth of a matter but still chooses to hold a belief contrary to that truth. Example: "Despite the evidence presented, he continued to knowingly believe that the earth was flat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Can one knowingly believe an outright contradiction?

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

De Beers denies that it bought diamonds from the rebels knowingly, but few experts believe this.

The New York Times

If prosecutors believe he knowingly fuelled an addiction, he might even face a manslaughter or second degree murder charge.

Independent

Ridley claimed nothing he said made him believe Woods "knowingly violated the rule".

BBC

She doesn't believe Adrienne knowingly abandoned her children.

Vice

Although the results of the Toronto Tri-Hospital Gestational Diabetes Project have been used to champion the argument for selective screening, we believe that knowingly failing to detect any woman, let alone a number such as 17% of women with GDM, can never be sanctioned.

Diabetes Care

Among the 27 individuals and organizations on a list attached to the order were three charities that the government believes knowingly or unwittingly channeled money to Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda network.

The New York Times

Do you really believe Bonds would knowingly jeopardize his health by taking steroidal agents for the sole purpose of fame and notoriety?

The New York Times

After deliberating nearly 14 hours over three days, jurors said they had settled on the lesser charge because they did not believe Mr. Nyce knowingly or purposely planned his wife's death.

The New York Times

Kearin said Monday that he and his staff "do not believe the students knowingly took anything that would cause them harm," according to the A.P. Galvez said it was unusual -- but not unheard of -- to see so many players come down with the condition simultaneously.

The New York Times

"While there was no reason to believe that Mr Singh knowingly took a prohibited substance, the PGA Tour Anti-Doping Program clearly states that players are responsible for use of a prohibited substance regardless of intent".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "knowingly believe", ensure the context clearly indicates that the subject is aware of conflicting information or evidence. This strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "knowingly believe" when simply expressing a conviction without awareness of contradictory facts. Using it incorrectly can suggest dishonesty or irrationality where none exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "knowingly believe" functions as a modifier and verb combination. The adverb "knowingly" modifies the verb "believe", indicating that the act of believing is done with full awareness and acknowledgment of conflicting information. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "knowingly believe" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of holding a belief despite being aware of contradictory evidence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. It appears frequently in contexts such as News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias. While grammatically sound, it's important to use "knowingly believe" judiciously. Overuse or misuse can lead to misinterpretations, potentially casting individuals in a negative light. Alternatives such as "consciously accept" or "deliberately assume" may offer more neutral phrasing in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognize and accept

Underlines the understanding and agreement with a belief.

consciously accept

Emphasizes deliberate acceptance with full awareness.

deliberately assume

Highlights the intentional nature of adopting a belief.

intentionally maintain

Focuses on the continued effort to hold a particular belief.

wilfully adhere to

Stresses a stubborn or determined commitment to a belief.

purposefully uphold

Indicates a specific aim or goal in maintaining a belief.

admit and trust

Highlights concession of truth and reliance on a belief.

realize and trust

Highlights both awareness and reliance on a belief.

understand and support

Highlights comprehension and endorsement of a belief.

acknowledge and embrace

Emphasizes recognition and positive acceptance of a belief.

FAQs

How can I use "knowingly believe" in a sentence?

Use "knowingly believe" to describe a situation where someone is aware of facts that contradict their belief, yet they continue to hold that belief. For example: "Despite the evidence, she continued to "knowingly believe" in the conspiracy."

What's a simple substitute for "knowingly believe"?

Alternatives include "consciously accept" or "deliberately assume", which convey a similar sense of awareness and choice in maintaining a belief.

Is it redundant to say "knowingly believe"? Isn't belief always a conscious choice?

While belief often implies a degree of conscious acceptance, "knowingly" emphasizes that the person is aware of contrary evidence or arguments, making the choice to maintain the belief more deliberate and sometimes against reason.

What is the difference between "believe" and "knowingly believe"?

"Believe" implies a general acceptance or trust in something, while ""knowingly believe"" suggests that the person is aware of facts that contradict their belief, yet they continue to hold that belief. The addition of "knowingly" highlights the conscious choice to disregard contradictory information.