really believe

USAGE SUMMARY

"really believe" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you have a strong sense of conviction or certainty about something. For example, "I really believe that investing in education is the key to long-term success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We really believe it.

The New York Times

I really believe that".

The New York Times - Sports

"We really believe that.

The New York Times - Sports

You need to really believe".

The New Yorker

Does Peskov really believe that?

The New York Times

We really believe in ourselves".

The New York Times - Sports

Does he really believe that?

Independent

"I don't really believe you".

The New York Times - Sports

I really believe that's true.

The New York Times

"And they really believe it!

The New York Times

Does anyone really believe that?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really believe" to emphasize your conviction about something, but avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain credibility. Instead, diversify with phrases like "I am convinced" or "I am certain".

Common error

While "really believe" is acceptable, relying on it too frequently can make your writing sound less professional. Opt for more nuanced expressions like "I am persuaded" or "I am confident" to enhance the sophistication of your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really believe" primarily functions as a verb phrase intensifier, adding emphasis to the act of believing. It modifies the verb, conveying a stronger sense of conviction. Ludwig shows this is commonly used across a wide range of contexts to express the speaker's or writer's certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "really believe" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a strong sense of conviction. Ludwig AI confirms this by showing various examples of its usage in different sources. While highly prevalent in news, media, and business contexts, it's important to consider the formality of the setting when using it, as more sophisticated alternatives may be preferable in academic or scientific writing. The phrase effectively functions to emphasize sincerity and persuade the audience of the speaker's or writer's viewpoint, and numerous alternatives can offer subtle shifts in meaning to best fit the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly believe

Stresses the complete and unreserved nature of the belief.

sincerely believe

Emphasizes the honesty and genuineness of the belief.

genuinely think

Highlights the authenticity and depth of thought behind the belief.

firmly convinced

Suggests a strong and unwavering certainty about something.

honestly feel

Focuses on the truthful and personal nature of the belief as a feeling.

deeply convinced

Implies a profound and deeply rooted belief.

absolutely certain

Indicates a complete lack of doubt.

have no doubt

Expresses certainty by negating any possibility of doubt.

am fully persuaded

Highlights the comprehensive and conclusive nature of the persuasion.

am of the firm opinion

Conveys a strong and resolute viewpoint.

FAQs

How can I use "really believe" in a sentence?

You can use "really believe" to express a strong conviction, such as, "I "really believe" that hard work pays off".

What can I say instead of "really believe"?

You can use alternatives like "sincerely believe", "genuinely think", or "firmly convinced" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it okay to use "really believe" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "really believe" might sound informal in academic or professional contexts. Consider using phrases like "am convinced" or "am certain" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "really believe" and "truly believe"?

Both ""really believe"" and "truly believe" express strong conviction. "Truly believe" might carry a slightly stronger emphasis on the sincerity and depth of the belief compared to "really believe".