may believe that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may believe that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a possibility or uncertainty regarding someone's belief or opinion about something. Example: "Some people may believe that the new policy will improve productivity, but others are skeptical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

City are good players and may believe that is enough.

The Guardian - Sport

I may believe that Republicans have their priorities all wrong, but that's not the issue here.

The New York Times

You may believe that is your prime time, but it isn't.

Huffington Post

For example, some persons may believe that tooth loss is inevitable regardless of what they do.

BMC Oral Health

As in general, continuous sedation is available, patients or relatives may believe that is suitable for individual cases.

BMC Family Practice

But they may believe that the public can be conned.

The New York Times

He may believe that but it's not actually true.

The Guardian - Music

Others may believe that they do not have the time or effort to make a difference.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The I.O.C. may believe that the Games will provide impetus for China to speed up reforms.

The New Yorker

You may believe that there is room for more taxing to close the gap.

The New York Times

You may believe that equities will always beat bonds over the long term.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may believe that", ensure the context clearly indicates the uncertainty or possibility you are conveying. This phrase works best when presenting different viewpoints or speculative scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "may believe that" when you intend to express a definitive fact or strongly held opinion. Overusing the phrase might dilute your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may believe that" functions as a hedge, softening a statement about someone's belief. According to Ludwig AI, it expresses a possibility or uncertainty, rather than a definite assertion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may believe that" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey uncertainty or possibility regarding someone's belief. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a hedge, softening statements and introducing viewpoints without full endorsement. It is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, science, and formal business settings, making it a very common phrase. When writing, it is important to use "may believe that" when expressing a genuine uncertainty, while avoiding its use when stating definitive facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might think that

Expresses a slightly weaker level of certainty or conviction.

could assume that

Suggests a possibility based on limited evidence or conjecture.

might suppose that

Implies a tentative assumption, often without firm proof.

could imagine that

Suggests a hypothetical scenario or personal viewpoint.

may presume that

Suggests taking something for granted, but still with uncertainty.

might consider that

Indicates a possibility that someone is giving something thought.

may surmise that

Implies forming an opinion from incomplete information.

could deduce that

Suggests that a conclusion is reached using reasoning.

might gather that

Implies understanding something indirectly from clues or hints.

may speculate that

Suggests forming a theory or conjecture about something.

FAQs

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

You can use "may believe that" to express uncertainty or possibility regarding someone's belief. For example, "Some people "may believe that" the new policy will improve productivity, but others are skeptical."

What are some alternatives to "may believe that"?

Alternatives include "might think that", "could assume that", or "might suppose that", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "may believe that" formal or informal?

"May believe that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality makes it versatile across different types of writing and conversation.

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

"May believe that" indicates uncertainty or possibility, while "definitely believes that" indicates a strong, unwavering conviction. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to express.