reason to believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reason to believe" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is likely to be true. For example: "The evidence suggests there is good reason to believe that the murder suspect is guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The public had reason to believe.

The New Yorker

There is every reason to believe him.

The New Yorker

And reason to believe anything is possible.

The New York Times - Sports

There is good reason to believe so.

The Economist

A REASON TO BELIEVE, by Deval Patrick.

The New York Times

Cillian had every reason to believe so.

The New Yorker

We have every reason to believe him.

The New York Times

There is good reason to believe him.

The New York Times - Sports

There's no reason to believe we'll bluff.

The New York Times - Sports

There is reason to believe it.

The New York Times - Sports

"There's no reason to believe either".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reason to believe" when you want to express that there is sufficient evidence or justification for holding a particular belief or expectation. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the reason pertains to.

Common error

Avoid using "reason to believe" when the evidence is extremely weak or speculative. The phrase implies a degree of confidence that should align with the quality of the supporting information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reason to believe" functions as an infinitive phrase that commonly acts as a subject complement or adjectival modifier. It indicates that there is a justification or basis for holding a particular belief. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reason to believe" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that suggests there is justification for holding a specific belief. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news and academic contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides sufficient support for the expressed belief, and consider alternatives like "grounds for belief" or "evidence to suggest" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grounds for belief

Switches from infinitive to noun phrase, emphasizing the basis for holding a belief.

justification to think

Replaces 'believe' with 'think', which can imply a less firm conviction.

evidence to suggest

Highlights the presence of supporting information but is less decisive than belief.

cause for optimism

Shifts the focus to positive expectations rather than general belief.

rationale for assuming

Emphasizes the logical basis for making an assumption.

evidence to support

Focuses on factual information that backs up a particular idea.

basis for confidence

Emphasizes assurance and trust, differing slightly from general belief.

warrant to presume

Suggests a permission or authorization to make a presumption.

justification for suspicion

Indicates a valid basis for harboring doubts.

authority to conclude

Highlights the power or right to arrive at a conclusion.

FAQs

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

Use "reason to believe" to indicate that there is justification for holding a particular belief. For example, "There is "good reason to believe" that the company will succeed because of its innovative product."

What are some alternatives to "reason to believe"?

Alternatives include "grounds for belief", "evidence to suggest", or "basis for confidence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "reason to believe" or "reasons to believe"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "reason to believe" is more common when referring to a general justification. "Reasons to believe" is used when highlighting multiple distinct justifications.

What does it mean to have "no reason to believe" something?

To have "no reason to believe" something means that there is no evidence or justification to support that belief. It indicates skepticism or disbelief.