that believes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that believes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a subject or entity that holds a belief or conviction about something. Example: "She is part of a community that believes in the power of education to change lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A Britain that believes in itself.

The Guardian

This is the crowd that believes in torture and executions.

The New York Times

"We are a party that believes in competition.

The Economist

Obviously, Butler isn't the only team that believes in selflessness.

The New York Times - Sports

He's "a man that believes in radical macho-ism.

The New Yorker

"But I'm a person that believes in timing".

The New York Times - Sports

But we've got a team that believes in each other.

The New York Times - Sports

And why should they abandon a party that believes in entrenching racial preferences in favour of one that believes in dismantling them?

The Economist

"You know, we're a nation that believes in the Second Amendment," Obama began.

The New York Times

"We are a party that believes that Britain can and does benefit from skilled workers.

Independent

"We wanted a professional union that believes in growth through organizing".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that believes", ensure the clause following it clearly and specifically articulates the belief in question to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "who believes" when referring to inanimate objects or abstract concepts; "that believes" is generally more appropriate in these contexts.

Linguistic Context

"That believes" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by specifying a belief held by the entity. This construction is used to provide additional information about the subject. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that believes" is a grammatically sound and very common relative clause used to specify the beliefs of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms that it appears frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts, making it versatile for various registers. While alternatives like "that thinks" or "that considers" exist, "that believes" emphasizes conviction. Remember to use "that" for inanimate objects and abstract concepts and "who" for people.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that thinks

Replaces "believes" with the more general term "thinks", focusing on cognitive processes rather than conviction.

that considers

Suggests a more deliberate and thoughtful evaluation than "believes".

that holds

Implies a firm conviction or adherence to a particular view or principle.

that maintains

Highlights the act of asserting or defending a belief, often in the face of opposition.

that asserts

Emphasizes a confident and forceful declaration of a belief.

that assumes

Suggests a belief based on probability or likelihood, rather than concrete evidence.

that presumes

Similar to "assumes", but often implies a legal or formal context.

that trusts

Replaces "believes" with a focus on faith or confidence in something or someone.

that espouses

Indicates active advocacy or public support for a particular belief or cause.

that subscribes to

Implies agreement with or adherence to a particular ideology or system of beliefs.

FAQs

How do I use "that believes" in a sentence?

Use "that believes" to introduce a relative clause specifying a particular belief held by a subject. For example, "She is part of a community "that believes" in the power of education".

What can I say instead of "that believes"?

You can use alternatives like "that thinks", "that considers", or "that holds", depending on the context.

Is "that believes" formal or informal?

"That believes" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the specific publication or communication style.

When should I use "who believes" instead of "that believes"?

Use "who believes" when referring to people or entities that can be personified. Use "that believes" for things or abstract concepts.