many believed that

USAGE SUMMARY

'many believed that' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing a collective opinion on a certain matter, for example: "Many believed that the new policy was misguided, and would cause long-term damage to the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He concluded: "Many believed that would have included some rain collection systems.

The New York Times

A web, many believed, that would have no end, but instead collapse upon itself.

Forbes

Many believed that cold beverages and certain fruits aggravated their COPD.

BMC Family Practice

Many believed that, as much as possible, there should be limited 'unnatural' intervention or interference during pregnancy and childbirth.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

After the cold war many believed that American defence spending would go down and stay down.

The Economist

But, inside the campaign, many believed that the promised rotation with Livni was holding him back.

The New Yorker

In the late 1970s, many believed that inflation would continue to get faster and faster.

The Economist

Many believed that the animal must have been released or had escaped from captivity.

The New York Times

Many believed that contact with them resulted in bad luck, sickness, or even death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many believed that Mr. Cheney added so much ballast that he threatened to submerge the president.

The New York Times

Many believed that Edie was innocent, indicted on moral but not criminal grounds.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider substituting with synonyms like “it was widely thought that” or “the common perception was” to add variety to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "many believed that" without sufficient evidence or context. Overgeneralizing can weaken your argument and reduce credibility. If the belief wasn't truly widespread, provide specific examples or sources to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many believed that" functions as an introductory clause to report a widely held opinion or assumption. It sets the stage for presenting a viewpoint that was common among a significant number of people, as Ludwig demonstrates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "many believed that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to introduce widespread opinions or assumptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to set the stage for discussing a viewpoint that was common among a significant number of people. Its neutrality makes it suitable for diverse contexts, including news, academic, and general discussions. When employing this phrase, ensure that the statement reflects a genuine widespread belief and provide relevant context. Consider alternatives like "it was widely thought that" to enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was widely thought that

Emphasizes the breadth of the belief, similar to "many believed that".

it was generally accepted that

Highlights the acceptance of a concept as a standard truth.

the common perception was that

Focuses on perception rather than explicit belief, subtly shifting the nuance.

it was a common assumption that

Implies the belief was taken for granted without explicit validation.

people generally thought that

A more informal phrasing indicating a prevalent thought among people.

most people considered that

Highlights the act of considering something to be true by a majority.

the prevailing view was that

Indicates the dominant opinion at a particular time.

it was understood that

Suggests a tacit agreement or implied understanding.

the general consensus was that

Emphasizes agreement among a group regarding a certain point.

a lot of people thought that

An informal way to indicate widespread belief.

FAQs

How can I use "many believed that" in a sentence?

You can use "many believed that" to introduce a widely held opinion or assumption. For example, "Many believed that the world would end in 2012 based on interpretations of the Mayan calendar."

What are some alternatives to saying "many believed that"?

You can use alternatives such as "it was widely thought that", "the common perception was that", or "it was generally accepted that" to express a similar idea.

Is "many believed that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "many believed that" is grammatically correct. It uses the plural pronoun "many" with the past tense verb "believed" to describe a widespread opinion in the past.

What is the difference between "many believed that" and "some believed that"?

"Many believed that" indicates a widespread or common belief, while "some believed that" suggests that the belief was held by a smaller, less representative group.