to be believed

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be believed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when making an assertion that requires or necessitates belief without providing proof. For example: "His ability to make a perfect souffle, every time, is simply to be believed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But is Jiro to be believed?

The New Yorker

But is this film to be believed?

The New Yorker

You want to be believed.

The Guardian

It is too ridiculous to be believed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But what is to be believed?

The New York Times - Arts

The vistas are not to be believed.

The New York Times

"What had to be believed, he believed".

The New York Times - Books

Very, if Divergent is to be believed.

The Guardian - Film

"All victims want is to be believed," Dr Sheridan said.

Independent

The last must be seen to be believed.

The New Yorker

It had to be believed to be seen.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be believed", ensure the context provides sufficient reason or evidence for the assertion to be accepted, even if it's not explicitly stated. For example, use it when describing something extraordinary or counter-intuitive.

Common error

Avoid using "to be believed" in situations where concrete evidence or logical reasoning is expected. Overusing the phrase without supporting information can weaken your argument or appear evasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be believed" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase that modifies a noun or adjective, expressing the necessity or desirability of something being accepted as true. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this phrase can be used when making an assertion that requires or necessitates belief without providing proof.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be believed" is a commonly used infinitive phrase that emphasizes the necessity or desirability of acceptance, even in the absence of concrete proof. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and serves to invite trust and consideration. It appears most frequently in news and media sources and can be replaced with alternatives such as "to be credible" or "to gain credence" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that your context provides sufficient reason for acceptance, and avoid over-reliance on it in situations that demand evidence-based reasoning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be credible

Focuses on the inherent quality of being believable or trustworthy.

to compel belief

Highlights the power of something to force or strongly persuade someone to believe it.

to be accepted as true

Rephrases the idea using more explicit and direct language.

to warrant belief

Indicates that something deserves or justifies being believed.

to be taken seriously

Emphasizes the need for respectful consideration and acknowledgement of one's statements or position.

to gain credence

Shifts the focus to the process of gaining belief rather than the state of being believed.

to earn acceptance

Implies that belief is something that must be earned through demonstration or proof.

to inspire trust

Highlights the aspect of generating trust in the audience or listener.

to ring true

Suggests that something has an authentic or genuine quality that makes it believable.

to hold water

An idiomatic expression suggesting that something is logically sound and believable.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "to be believed" in a sentence?

Use "to be believed" when you want to emphasize the necessity of accepting something as true, even if it seems improbable or requires a leap of faith. For example, "The scale of the disaster has "to be seen to be believed"".

What are some alternatives to "to be believed" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to be credible", "to gain credence", or "to inspire trust".

When is it appropriate to use "to be believed" instead of "to be proven"?

"To be believed" is appropriate when acceptance depends more on trust, intuition, or indirect evidence. "To be proven" is better when rigorous, verifiable evidence is available and necessary.

Is "to be believed" always subjective, or can it be objective?

While belief often involves a degree of subjectivity, "to be believed" can also be used in contexts where objective facts are presented in a way that compels acceptance, even if those facts are surprising or counter-intuitive.