they believed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they believed that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause with an opinion or belief. For example: They believed that the art exhibit was a great success.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They believed that: (1) Insulin causes organ damage.

BMC Family Practice

They believed that he cared about them.

The New Yorker

They believed that Marxism was true.

The Guardian - Opinion

They weren't sure they believed that.

The New York Times

They believed that participating in elections helped immigrants become American.

University of California, Berkeley

When asked, several said they believed that they had.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, they believed that drastic change was needed.

The New York Times - Health

They believed that, too often, Clark's judgment was wrong.

The New Yorker

Indeed, they believed that the two went hand in hand.

The New York Times

Local witnesses said they believed that it had been.

The New York Times

But few in the audience said they believed that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the strength of the belief you wish to convey. Alternatives like "they were convinced that" or "they suspected that" offer different nuances in meaning.

Common error

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally rephrasing beliefs as active statements. For instance, instead of "They believed that it was important", try "They emphasized the importance of it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they believed that" functions as a clause introducer, linking a subject ("they") to a subordinate clause expressing their belief or conviction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they believed that" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction for expressing a shared belief. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves to introduce a clause detailing a group's conviction. For stylistic variation, consider alternatives such as "they were convinced that" or "they held the opinion that". Be mindful of pronoun clarity and avoid overuse for optimal writing. Overall it's a valid and frequently used way to report beliefs across different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were convinced that

Highlights a state of being completely certain about something.

they held the conviction that

Emphasizes the strength and certainty of their belief.

they maintained that

Suggests a persistent and unwavering belief, even in the face of opposition.

they were of the opinion that

Rephrases the belief as a formal opinion.

it was their understanding that

Emphasizes the belief as a matter of comprehension and interpretation.

they assumed that

Similar to 'presumed', but can also imply a lack of careful consideration.

they presumed that

Indicates a belief based on probability or likelihood, often without concrete evidence.

they considered that

Focuses on the act of thinking about something and arriving at a particular conclusion.

they were under the impression that

Suggests the belief may be based on incomplete information or a misunderstanding.

they took it for granted that

Implies the belief was accepted without question or examination.

FAQs

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

Use "they believed that" to introduce a clause explaining an opinion or conviction held by a group of people. For example, "They believed that hard work would lead to success."

What are some alternatives to "they believed that"?

You can use alternatives such as "they thought that", "they assumed that", or "they were convinced that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they believed that"?

Yes, "they believed that" is grammatically correct and widely used in English to introduce a clause expressing a belief or opinion.

What's the difference between "they believed that" and "they thought that"?

While both phrases express an opinion, "they believed that" often implies a stronger conviction than "they thought that". The latter suggests a more casual or preliminary opinion.