one could believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one could believe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a hypothetical situation or to suggest that a certain belief is plausible or reasonable. Example: "In light of the evidence presented, one could believe that the theory holds merit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Niall Hickman Joe, no one could believe that on your first day at your new club, the first-team players were not in.

The Guardian - Sport

The first point to note is that the problem of major deception that arose in the original experiments by Milgram was avoided here – since every participant knew for sure that the Learner was a virtual character, and therefore no one could believe that they were inflicting pain on anyone else.

Plosone

No one could believe it".

The New York Times

No one could believe it in town.

The Guardian - Sport

No one could believe what was happening.

The New York Times

"Villanova won the N.C.A.A. title — no one could believe it.

The New Yorker

"Villanova won the N.C.A.A. title no one could believe it.

The New Yorker

"At the time, no one could believe it.

The New York Times

NH But why Monday, no one could believe it?

The Guardian - Sport

"No one could believe this could exist in Iran," Daneshvar told me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Of his imprisonment, the freelance video journalist said: "No-one could believe what was happening.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "one could believe", ensure the context provides sufficient evidence or reasoning to support the potential belief. Avoid using it to introduce unfounded or speculative claims.

Common error

Avoid using "one could believe" when a stronger assertion is warranted. If the evidence is conclusive, opt for a more direct and confident statement rather than hedging with a weaker expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one could believe" functions as a modal phrase used to express possibility, likelihood, or a tentative conclusion. As shown in Ludwig, it introduces a viewpoint or interpretation that is considered plausible given certain evidence or circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one could believe" is a versatile modal phrase used to express possibility or a reasonable inference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While conveying a sense of plausibility, it avoids making definitive statements, thus maintaining objectivity. When writing, use this phrase to introduce potential interpretations supported by evidence and avoid overstating certainty. Consider alternatives such as "it is plausible that" or "it seems likely that" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's plausible that

Suggests the idea is reasonable or likely, based on available evidence.

it seems likely that

Focuses on the probability or likelihood of a certain outcome or scenario.

it is believable that

Replaces the modal verb with a more direct statement of believability.

it is reasonable to think

Highlights the rationality behind a particular belief or conclusion.

it's conceivable that

Emphasizes the possibility or imaginability of something.

one may assume

Presents the idea as a possible assumption, rather than a firm belief.

it stands to reason that

Implies the conclusion is logical and follows naturally from the given information.

it could be inferred that

Suggests drawing a conclusion based on indirect evidence or logical deduction.

one might imagine

Shifts the focus to an act of imagining or considering something possible.

one might surmise

Implies reaching a conclusion based on limited evidence or intuition.

FAQs

How can I use "one could believe" in a sentence?

The phrase "one could believe" is used to suggest a possible or reasonable interpretation of something. For example, "Given the evidence, "one could believe" that the project will succeed".

What are some alternatives to "one could believe"?

You can use alternatives like "it is plausible that", "it seems likely that", or "one might imagine" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "one could believe" or "someone could believe"?

"One could believe" is generally more formal and impersonal, suggesting a broader possibility. "Someone could believe" /s/someone+could+believe implies a more specific or individual perspective.

What's the difference between "one could believe" and "one might think"?

"One could believe" suggests a potential acceptance of something as true, whereas "one might think" implies a personal opinion or consideration. The former focuses on believability, the latter on thought or contemplation.