less believing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less believing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of having less faith or trust in something or someone compared to a previous state or in comparison to others. Example: "After the scandal, many became less believing in the promises made by the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

So I am less believing that this model of encryption is going to become the de facto standard anyway.

TechCrunch

The reality of 2012 was much uglier than that the Republican candidates competed to be more Christian, more anti-tax, and less believing in climate change to try to capture the support of the right wing of the right wing of the GOP.

Vice

The reality of 2012 was much uglier than that – the Republican candidates competed to be more Christian, more anti-tax, and less believing in climate change to try to capture the support of the right wing of the right wing of the GOP.

Vice

Some hijack the Blood in an attempt to inspire godliness: "Maybe if we teach them they're not forgiven yet, at least until they ask, then they will sin less?" Think about that one: Will we sin less believing we just have to fire up a quick "Will you forgive me?" (with a promised "Yes" in response) versus believing we're already forgiven?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I can't understand Klosterman, much less believe him, when he announces that "Madonna is an unsuccessful sexual icon".

The New York Times - Books

The alternative is "rally the people who already more or less believe in what you have to say.

The Guardian

Newscasters told us that the world was more or less as we expected it to be, and we more or less believed them.

The New Yorker

Every family has those communal stories, told over the years, until eventually, every member more or less believes they were in the room when it happened.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nevertheless, many parishioners in Mr. Miller's old church have been loath even to talk about the charges, much less believe them.

The New York Times

According to surveys and his experience with students, Mr. McKnight said, a large majority of evangelical Christians "more or less believe that people of other faiths will go to heaven," whatever their churches and theologians may argue.

The New York Times

We are unable to imagine, much less believe in an alternative.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less believing", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is losing faith in to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "less believing in the system" instead of just "less believing".

Common error

Avoid using "less believing" in contexts where a complete absence of belief is intended; instead, opt for phrases like "disbelieving" or "not believing" to convey a stronger sense of disbelief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less believing" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating a diminished state of belief or trust. As shown in Ludwig, this often relates to skepticism or a decline in faith.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less believing" serves to express a decline in faith or trust, often replaced by "more skeptical" attitudes. While grammatically correct and understandable, as confirmed by Ludwig, its frequency is relatively uncommon, primarily appearing in News & Media and Science. It's crucial to provide context for clarity, specifying what the subject is losing faith in. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability of this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more skeptical

Emphasizes a state of doubt and questioning, as opposed to simply reduced belief.

less trusting

Highlights a decrease in confidence and reliance on someone or something.

growing doubt

Suggests an increase in uncertainty and lack of faith.

waning faith

Focuses on the diminishing strength of one's belief.

reduced conviction

Indicates a weakening of one's certainty and strong opinion.

questioning more

Shifts the focus to the act of inquiring and scrutinizing.

becoming doubtful

Highlights the process of transitioning into a state of doubt.

sowing seeds of doubt

Indicates planting mistrust of a theory.

losing faith in

Describes a decline or abandonment of belief in something specifically.

distrusting more

Indicates an increasing lack of confidence and suspicion.

FAQs

How can I use "less believing" in a sentence?

You can use "less believing" to describe a state of diminished faith or trust. For example: "After the investigation, many became less believing in the politician's promises."

What are some alternatives to saying "less believing"?

Alternatives include "more skeptical", "less trusting", or "growing doubt", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less believing"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is used to indicate a decrease in belief or trust.

When should I use "less believing" versus "not believing"?

"Less believing" suggests a reduction in belief, whereas "not believing" indicates a complete lack of belief. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of faith or trust involved.