sincerely believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sincerely believed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong conviction or faith in something, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "I sincerely believed that my actions were in the best interest of the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Doubtless they sincerely believed all this.

The Economist

I've always sincerely believed that the law is wrong.

The Guardian - Books

These were held, Ms Applebaum stresses, because central Europe's "little Stalins" sincerely believed they would win.

The Economist

Mr. Obama seems to have sincerely believed that he would face a different reception.

The New York Times

He sincerely believed in its ideals and illusions, and he had reasons to do so.

The New York Times - Arts

"He sincerely believed it, and all his doctors at the time believed it," Mr. Gelb said.

The New York Times

But Walt Disney sincerely believed in the future he was selling, possibly even shaping, at Tomorrowland.

The Guardian - Film

"Iran sincerely believed it had no other option but to support the Assad government.

The Guardian

He "sincerely believed" that the invasion of Iraq was the right thing to do.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The court is disappointed and, frankly, incredulous that defendants sincerely believed this proposal would suffice," the judge wrote.

The New York Times

For a time he sincerely believed that, the new framework completed, he would be allowed to retire again to privacy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sincerely believed", ensure that the context supports the sincerity of the belief. Avoid using it sarcastically or in situations where the belief is questionable.

Common error

Avoid claiming someone "sincerely believed" something without providing supporting evidence or context. This can weaken your argument and make the statement seem less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sincerely believed" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a state of conviction or trust. It asserts that someone held a belief with genuine and honest intent. As Ludwig AI shows, it is often used to describe someone's genuine, albeit potentially misguided, faith in something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sincerely believed" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to express genuine conviction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage in various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and science. While versatile, it’s essential to ensure the context supports the sincerity of the belief to maintain credibility. Alternatives like "genuinely thought" or "truly believed" offer nuanced variations, but "sincerely believed" remains a robust choice for conveying heartfelt conviction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly believed

Substitutes "sincerely" with "truly", maintaining a high degree of semantic equivalence.

honestly believed

Similar to "sincerely believed", but emphasizes the honesty of the belief.

genuinely thought

Replaces "sincerely believed" with a more informal expression of belief.

firmly believed

Indicates a strong and unwavering belief, focusing on the strength of the conviction.

was convinced

Focuses on the state of being persuaded or certain about something.

deeply believed

Suggests a belief that is ingrained and profound, adding emotional depth.

felt certain

Emphasizes the feeling of certainty and confidence in the belief.

had a strong conviction

Replaces the verb "believed" with a noun phrase, altering the sentence structure.

held the belief

A more formal way of expressing belief, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

was of the opinion

Indicates a personal judgment or viewpoint, rather than a deeply held conviction.

FAQs

How to use "sincerely believed" in a sentence?

You can use "sincerely believed" to express a strong conviction or faith in something. For example, "He "sincerely believed" that his actions were justified."

What can I say instead of "sincerely believed"?

You can use alternatives like "genuinely thought", "truly believed", or "honestly believed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "sincerely believed" or "strongly believed"?

Both "sincerely believed" and "strongly believed" are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Sincerely believed" highlights the genuineness of the belief, while "strongly believed" emphasizes the intensity of the belief.

What's the difference between "sincerely believed" and "naively believed"?

"Sincerely believed" implies a genuine and honest conviction, whereas "naively believed" suggests a belief that is simplistic or lacking in awareness of potential complexities or deceit.