ready to believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ready to believe" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone being willing to believe something. For example, "When I told him the story, he was ready to believe it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm ready to believe...

The Washington Post

Few people seem ready to believe that.

The New York Times

I still wasn't ready to believe it.

The Guardian

At 10 P.M., Barrios was ready to believe it, too.

The New Yorker

"No, I am not ready to believe this".

The Guardian - Books

None of them are ready to believe me.

The Guardian - Sport

Why we're so ready to believe that it does.

The Washington Post

Matt Lauer, for one, appeared ready to believe Simmons.

The Washington Post

"People are too mean, too hot-tempered, too ready to believe things that don't exist.

The New Yorker

I laughed at that, but after seeing "Ahhh... Ha!" I'm ready to believe her.

The New York Times - Arts

She said she had been half ready to believe Mr Modi had a secret wife.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ready to believe" to convey a sense of openness and willingness to accept information or claims, but be mindful of the context to avoid implying gullibility. For instance, "After seeing the evidence, the jury was ready to believe the witness's testimony."

Common error

Avoid using "ready to believe" when describing situations where skepticism and critical evaluation are necessary. For example, instead of saying "Scientists were ready to believe the initial results", consider "Scientists cautiously examined the initial results" to reflect the scientific process of verification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ready to believe" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of being prepared or willing to accept something as true. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing people's attitudes and reactions to information or events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ready to believe" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a state of openness or willingness to accept information. It is commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, and Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential implications of gullibility and consider whether skepticism is more appropriate. While the phrase is considered "Correct", carefully consider the context in order to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

willing to believe

Emphasizes the willingness to accept something as true, highlighting the volitional aspect of belief.

easy to believe

Focuses on the inherent believability of something, suggesting it requires little effort to accept as true.

happy to believe

Indicates a positive emotional state associated with believing, suggesting eagerness or pleasure in accepting something.

inclined to believe

Suggests a predisposition or tendency towards belief, implying a natural leaning in that direction.

prepared to believe

Indicates a state of readiness or anticipation of belief, suggesting an openness to being convinced.

disposed to believe

Similar to 'inclined to believe', indicating a state of mind that makes belief more likely.

predisposed to believe

Implies a prior condition or influence that makes someone more susceptible to believing something.

ready to accept

Shifts the focus from belief to acceptance, suggesting a willingness to embrace something even if not fully convinced.

quick to believe

Highlights the speed at which someone accepts something as true, potentially implying a lack of critical examination.

susceptible to believe

Highlights vulnerability to persuasion, emphasizing the ease with which someone can be convinced.

FAQs

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

You can use "ready to believe" to describe someone's willingness to accept something as true. For example, "After seeing the evidence, she was "ready to believe" his story."

What's a more formal alternative to "ready to believe"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "inclined to believe" or "disposed to believe" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly more sophisticated tone. For example, "The committee was "inclined to believe" the report's findings."

Is there a difference between "willing to believe" and "ready to believe"?

While similar, "willing to believe" emphasizes a conscious choice or desire to accept something, whereas "ready to believe" suggests a state of preparedness or openness. "She was "willing to believe" his explanation, despite her initial doubts."

What's the opposite of "ready to believe"?

The opposite of "ready to believe" would be "unwilling to believe" or "skeptical", indicating a reluctance or refusal to accept something as true. "He remained "unwilling to believe" the rumors, demanding concrete proof."