no longer believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "no longer believed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was once accepted as true but is now considered false or untrue. Example: "The theory that the Earth was flat is no longer believed by the scientific community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He could not continue because he no longer believed in it.

The New Yorker

But by now Woody no longer believed Halina had stolen the old man's money.

The New Yorker

"I no longer believed anything after all these promises," noted the increasingly sceptical Che.

The Economist

He no longer believed in the war or in his recruiting job.

The New York Times

Welde Giorgis left Eritrea in 2006 because he no longer believed internal reform was possible.

The Guardian

"Ah, mon Dieu, je n'y croyais plus!" she exclaimed — I no longer believed.

The New Yorker

Ramsbotham said he no longer believed that Britain's nuclear deterrent was truly independent.

The Guardian

One morning 20 years earlier he woke up to find he no longer believed in God.

The New York Times - Books

By Friday, Sept. 14, Stacy no longer believed that Christopher was coming home.

The New York Times - Magazine

When his wife told him, "It's just in your mind," he no longer believed her.

The New Yorker

The only thing missing was that he no longer believed in God.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no longer believed" to clearly indicate a shift in perspective or conviction, providing context for why the belief changed.

Common error

Avoid using "no longer believed" when you mean to convey a change in factual knowledge. "Believe" implies a degree of faith or subjective acceptance, whereas "know" implies objective certainty. For example, use "no longer knew" if referring to a forgotten fact rather than a changed opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no longer believed" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past state where a belief was held but is now absent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and common construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "no longer believed" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a change in conviction or opinion. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a shift in belief rather than a change in factual knowledge. Alternatives like "ceased to believe" or "stopped believing" can provide similar meanings with slight nuances. It's important to consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate phrasing. The phrase is versatile, but clarity and precision are key in effectively conveying the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ceased to believe

Replaces "no longer" with "ceased to", emphasizing the termination of belief.

stopped believing

Uses "stopped" instead of "no longer", providing a more direct and simpler phrasing.

lost faith in

Focuses on the loss of faith or trust in something or someone.

became disillusioned with

Suggests a feeling of disappointment after discovering something is not as good as once believed.

had a change of heart about

Indicates a shift in feeling or opinion about something.

abandoned the belief in

Emphasizes the act of giving up or forsaking a previously held belief.

rejected the idea of

Highlights the rejection of an idea or concept.

dismissed the notion of

Conveys the act of disregarding or considering something as unworthy of attention.

renounced faith in

Implies a formal rejection or abandonment of a belief or principle.

outgrew the belief in

Suggests that the belief is no longer relevant or suitable due to personal growth or changing circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "no longer believed" in a sentence?

You can use "no longer believed" to indicate that someone once accepted something as true but now considers it false. For example: "He "no longer believed" in the promises after repeated failures".

What are some alternatives to saying "no longer believed"?

Alternatives include "ceased to believe", "stopped believing", or "lost faith in", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "no longer believed"?

Yes, "no longer believed" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.

What is the difference between "no longer believed" and "never believed"?

"No longer believed" implies a change in conviction, while "never believed" indicates that someone has always held a particular disbelief. Using "no longer believed" suggests a shift from belief to disbelief, whereas "never believed" indicates a consistent state of disbelief.