quick to believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quick to believe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who readily accepts information or ideas without much skepticism. Example: "She was quick to believe the rumors circulating about her colleague, without seeking any evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

And, of course, in the absence of explanation, we are very quick to believe anything we hear about Isis.

The Guardian - Opinion

The state has given out filters that remove lead, but people aren't quick to believe that they will work.

The New Yorker

But at the same time Rachel seems far too quick to believe her captors are her benefactors and protectors.

The New York Times - Books

The public were quick to believe the allegations against Tulisa when they were splashed across the front pages in June last year.

Independent

It happened because America's citizens and its police are too heavily armed, and too quick to believe they have a legitimate right to shoot someone in a disagreement.

The Economist

The poor-maintenance theory appeared credible in Russia, where damaged infrastructure is a common problem, and people are quick to believe that "everything is rotten".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

As I've written before, we are far quicker to believe things that mesh with our view of how life should be.

The New Yorker

"People want a quick fix, they want to believe that if I can find what magazines you subscribe to, I can know how you will vote," said Laura Quinn, a consultant to the Democratic National Committee.

The New York Times

This implies that the more students believe learning is quick, the less they are likely to believe both empirical and tentative nature of scientific knowledge.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

But the riders were "led to believe" they were quicker as a result of them.

The New York Times - Sports

Even in supporting Kaepernick's right to protest, the other day NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was quick to add: "We believe very strongly in patriotism in the NFL".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "quick to believe," consider the context to ensure that the tone is appropriate. While it can be descriptive, it can also carry a negative connotation, implying gullibility or a lack of critical thinking.

Common error

Avoid using "quick to believe" excessively in your writing. While it's a useful phrase, overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "easily convinced" or "gullible" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quick to believe" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's tendency or characteristic. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound. It suggests a disposition towards accepting information readily, often without critical evaluation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quick to believe" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe someone who readily accepts information without much scrutiny. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is widely used and easily understood. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, and the analysis of the provided examples suggests that it is often used to highlight a potential lack of critical thinking or a tendency towards naivety. Consider synonyms like "gullible" or "easily convinced" to avoid repetition and to fine-tune the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accepting without question

Stresses the absence of scrutiny or doubt in the act of believing.

prone to believing

Highlights a tendency or habitual pattern of accepting things readily.

easily convinced

Focuses on the process of persuasion and the lack of resistance to it.

credulous

A more formal term for being easily convinced, implying a lack of critical judgment.

ready to accept

Highlights willingness and openness to new information without critical examination.

gullible

A single word emphasizing naivety and ease of being deceived.

inclined to trust

Emphasizes a pre-existing disposition towards trust, making belief more likely.

takes things at face value

Indicates a tendency to believe things literally, without looking for hidden meanings.

unsuspecting

Suggests a lack of awareness of potential deception or hidden motives.

naively trusts

Focuses on the simplicity and lack of experience behind someone's willingness to trust.

FAQs

How can I use "quick to believe" in a sentence?

You can use "quick to believe" to describe someone who readily accepts information or ideas without much skepticism. For example: "She was "quick to believe" the rumors circulating about her colleague, without seeking any evidence."

What are some alternatives to "quick to believe"?

You can use alternatives like "easily convinced", "gullible", or "prone to believing" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "quick to believe" or "quickly believe"?

"Quick to believe" is generally preferred because it functions as an adjective phrase describing someone's characteristic. "Quickly believe" could work, but sounds less natural. For example: "She was "quick to believe"" is better than "She quickly believed" if you are describing a general tendency.

What does it imply when someone is described as "quick to believe"?

Describing someone as "quick to believe" often implies that they are naive, lack critical thinking skills, or are easily manipulated. It suggests that they accept information without questioning its validity.