reasonably believed that

USAGE SUMMARY

'reasonably believed that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is thought to be true based on sound reasoning. For example: It is reasonably believed that the dish contains many different spices.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

They could frisk a person if they reasonably believed that person to be armed.

Los Angeles Times

No matter how many eyewitnesses call him a blatant liar, and swear as they have repeatedly done in interviews that Brown had his hands up and attempted to surrender, Wilson's attorneys will simply counter that he "reasonably believed" that Brown posed a threat to his life.

HuffPost

A financial institution shall not be liable for failure to perform the duties required by this paragraph if, at the time of the failure, the financial institution maintained reasonable policies and procedures to comply with this paragraph or the financial institution reasonably believed that the institution is prohibited, by law, from contacting the consumer.

Harvard University

It held that exigent circumstances justified the warrantless entry because the police reasonably believed that evidence would be destroyed.

Cornell University

The nature of a specific project might be UNCLASSIFIED if it is reasonably believed that disclosure would impress someone.

The New Yorker

Even if a copyright infringement occurs, a court may refuse to award damages if the infringer reasonably believed that the use was fair.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

In the UK, a rape has been committed if there is intentional penetration without consent and if the accused "does not reasonably believe" that consent has been given.

BBC

He reasonably believes that his money is snugly tucked away.

The New York Times - Magazine

She reasonably believes that accusation to be false in fact and politically inspired.

The Guardian - Opinion

(B) does not consent to the touching, and (A) does not reasonably believe that (B) consents.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Police officers typically have wide latitude to use lethal force if they reasonably believe that they are in imminent danger.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of potential subjectivity. What seems reasonable to one person might not to another. Strive for objectivity by referencing external standards or evidence.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "reasonably believed that" statement as absolute certainty. Acknowledge the possibility of error or alternative interpretations to maintain nuance and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

"Reasonably believed that" functions as a clause introducing a proposition that someone holds to be true based on available evidence or logical inference. It indicates the justification for a particular action or decision, similar to examples listed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

21%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reasonably believed that" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to express a belief founded on logical inference and available evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across various writing styles. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its frequent usage in news reporting, academic writing, and scientific discourse, where conveying justified assessments is crucial. While the phrase implies a logical basis, it's important to acknowledge potential subjectivity and avoid presenting such beliefs as absolute certainty. Using alternatives such as "justifiably thought that" or "honestly concluded that" can fine-tune the specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justifiably thought that

Emphasizes the justification or rationale behind the belief.

legitimately considered that

Focuses on the legitimacy or validity of the consideration.

genuinely assumed that

Highlights the sincerity and authenticity of the assumption.

honestly concluded that

Stresses the honesty and integrity of the conclusion.

sincerely felt that

Emphasizes the genuine feeling or conviction.

had good reason to think that

Highlights the existence of a valid justification.

had grounds to believe that

Emphasizes the basis or foundation for the belief.

it was fair to assume that

Introduces the element of fairness in the assumption.

it was logical to conclude that

Focuses on the logical reasoning behind the conclusion.

it made sense to think that

Highlights the sensibility and rationality of the thought.

FAQs

How can I use "reasonably believed that" in a sentence?

Use "reasonably believed that" to express a belief based on logical inference and available evidence. For example, "The investigators reasonably believed that the suspect had fled the country".

What's a good alternative to "reasonably believed that"?

Consider using alternatives like "justifiably thought that" or "honestly concluded that" depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it subjective or objective to state that someone "reasonably believed that" something was true?

While the phrase implies a logical basis, there's inherent subjectivity. What constitutes "reasonable" can vary. Providing supporting evidence strengthens the objectivity of the statement.

What is the difference between "reasonably believed that" and "suspected that"?

"Reasonably believed that" implies a stronger basis in evidence and logic than "suspected that". Suspicion can be based on hunches, while a reasonable belief should have some factual foundation.