profess

USAGE SUMMARY

'profess' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone expressing their thoughts, beliefs, or opinions openly, especially when it is done in an emphatic or confident manner. Example sentence: The politician professed his support for the new law despite the criticism it had received.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many profess to be shocked by Katie's naked ambition.

The Guardian

The "make-up" of the three Cabinet ministers is as close an approximation as possible to the features, dress, and manners of the originals, and the fun of the thing consists partly in placing them in ridiculous situations, and partly in making them utter ludicrous exaggerations of the sentiments which they are supposed to profess or act upon in their public conduct.

The Guardian

The hearing also attracted some of the people who profess to be supporters of the defendants.

The Guardian

If so, then tonight proved it because none of the winners could do anything but flail around and profess amazement that anyone's even heard of them.

The Guardian - Film

I certainly did, but then I also watched the video and am discussing it now, so cannot profess to be above the gossip machine.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its warm and inventive people speak a common language (Arabic) and most profess a common religion (Islam).

The Economist

The war has given him the perfect chance to prove that he does not take orders from Eritrea and that he is a true Ethiopian.Although both men profess to want peace, they show no sign of blinking at the prospect of a war that may destroy at least one of their countries, perhaps both.

The Economist

What prevents the faster gains that both sides profess to want?

The Economist

Although Mr Kanbur has not commented publicly, he appears to have resigned because he was uncomfortable with these changes.Those close to Mr Kanbur within the Bank profess surprise at his actions: to them it seems obvious that poverty reduction demands both economic growth and specific anti-poverty policies.

The Economist

Unsurprisingly, given Missouri's importance to the balance of power, the national Democratic and Republican parties are pitching in with oodles of cash and attack ads.Both sides profess confidence.

The Economist

But whatever the details turn out to be, the big picture is that Mr Christie is getting in trouble for the hardball measures he used to build the bipartisan support that he needed to govern as the Republican leader of a largely Democratic state.Americans profess to love bipartisanship, but rarely think about what it takes to generate it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profess" when you want to convey a formal or public declaration of a belief, feeling, or opinion. It often implies a degree of conviction or commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "profess" in very casual or informal conversations. Opt for simpler words like "say" or "state" when the context doesn't require a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "profess" is as a verb. It signifies a declaration or avowal of a feeling, belief, or opinion. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe individuals or groups openly stating their convictions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profess" is a versatile verb used to formally declare a belief, feeling, or opinion. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While it carries a neutral to formal tone, its usage implies a considered and intentional declaration. Remember to reserve "profess" for situations where a formal or public statement is appropriate, and consider alternatives like "declare", "assert", or "claim" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profess to believe

Explicitly includes the element of belief or faith.

declare

Focuses on making something known explicitly and formally.

assert

Emphasizes stating something confidently and forcefully.

affirm

Highlights confirming something is true or valid.

publicly state

Highlights the public nature of the declaration.

openly declare

Similar to "publicly state", with an emphasis on transparency.

avow

Indicates a solemn or emphatic declaration.

claim

Implies stating something as a fact, often without proof.

maintain

Suggests consistently asserting something despite potential opposition.

allege

Denotes asserting something without definitive proof.

FAQs

How to use "profess" in a sentence?

"Profess" is used to indicate a formal or public declaration of a belief, feeling, or opinion. For instance, "The politician "professed his innocence"" or "They "profess loyalty" to the cause."

What can I say instead of "profess"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "declare", "assert", or "affirm". Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the strength and formality of the statement.

Which is correct, "profess belief" or "profess to believe"?

Both phrases are correct, but "profess to believe" is often used when there might be an implication of insincerity or when emphasizing the act of claiming a belief.

What's the difference between "profess" and "claim"?

"Profess" generally implies a sincere and open declaration of a belief or feeling. "Claim", on the other hand, can suggest that the statement may be questionable or lack supporting evidence.