likely believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely believed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a belief or assumption that is probable or expected to be true, often in contexts discussing opinions or perceptions. Example: "The theory was likely believed by many scientists before the new evidence emerged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Manafort likely believed that what happened in Kiev would stay in Kiev.

The New Yorker

Have the justices voted as that president and his party likely believed they would?

The New York Times

I want to tell my friend to rethink his references, but they most likely believed their comments were confidential.

The New York Times - Magazine

Your characters probably did not read The Guardian, and very likely believed in hellfire, beating children and hanging malefactors.

The New York Times - Books

Greenland's leaders accepted China's terms because they likely believed these costly projects might never go ahead if the Chinese didn't get involved; only China has the money, the demand, the experience and the political will to proceed.

The New York Times

They were voters whom Clinton's campaign team likely believed were an easy win – because of her calls for pay equality, leave for new mothers, and investment in young children; and for her oft-stated belief that "women's rights are human rights".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

If you are white, you most likely believe the system is fair.

The New York Times

He was still waiting for his day in the limelight, though likely believing it would never come.

The Guardian

His new partisans likely believe that Rubio's ethnic identity will neutralize his defection from immigration reform, and win Latino voters over.

The New Yorker

I bet that you have never heard this sentence before, and yet, you have no difficulty in understanding it: it is one you in fact likely believe false.

SEP

So the folks at YouNow likely believe that getting those users onto its platform will help to boost the socialness of its social network.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To soften the assertion of the belief, consider adding a qualifying adverb, such as "quite likely believed" or "very likely believed". This allows you to modulate the strength of your assumption and signal greater nuance to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "likely believed" when you possess concrete evidence of someone's belief. Reserve this phrase for situations where you're making an informed inference, not stating a known fact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely believed" functions as a verbal phrase expressing an inference or assumption about someone's past conviction. Based on the examples Ludwig provides, it is primarily used to indicate a reasoned conclusion without absolute certainty. It serves to qualify a statement about a belief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely believed" is a grammatically correct verbal phrase used to express a reasoned assumption or inference about someone's past belief. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While not extremely frequent, it serves as a useful tool for expressing informed opinions without claiming absolute certainty. Remember to consider the specific context and nuances when choosing between "likely believed" and its alternatives to ensure the most accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probably thought

Replaces "likely believed" with a more common synonym, emphasizing probability.

presumably assumed

Suggests the belief was taken for granted without explicit evidence.

reasonably supposed

Highlights the logical basis for assuming the belief.

most likely thought

Adds emphasis to the probability of the belief.

it is plausible they thought

Expresses a suggestion of believability regarding what they thought.

one can assume they thought

Offers an allowance for making an assumption about their thoughts.

it stands to reason they thought

Implies that the thought process follows a logical conclusion.

it's a fair assumption that they thought

Justifies the act of assuming what their thought process may have been.

it seems reasonable to believe

Shifts focus to the reasonableness of the belief itself, rather than the act of believing.

one might expect them to believe

Focuses on the expectation of a specific thought pattern.

FAQs

How can I use "likely believed" in a sentence?

You can use "likely believed" to express an assumption about someone's past beliefs based on available evidence or context. For example: "The researchers "likely believed" their hypothesis was correct based on initial findings".

What are some alternatives to "likely believed"?

Alternatives to "likely believed" include "probably thought", "presumably assumed", or "reasonably supposed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "likely believed" formal or informal?

"Likely believed" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. In more informal settings, you might opt for simpler alternatives like "probably thought".

How does the meaning of "likely believed" differ from "certainly believed"?

"Likely believed" suggests a reasoned assumption, while "certainly believed" implies absolute conviction. Use "likely believed" when you lack definitive proof, but have strong reasons to suspect the belief was held. Use "certainly believed" only when the belief is unequivocally confirmed.