we believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we believed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a past conviction or opinion held by a group of people. Example: "In our discussions, we believed that the project would succeed if we worked together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We believed.

The New Yorker

"We believed," Kerrigan said.

The New York Times - Sports

We believed him".

The New York Times

"We believed we were.

The New York Times - Sports

We believed that once.

The Economist

And we believed her.

The New York Times - Food

And we believed him.

Independent

Most days, we believed it.

The New York Times

We believed it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And we believed that".

The New York Times

We believed their rhetoric".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we believed" to clearly convey a past shared conviction or understanding within a group. Ensure the context makes it clear who "we" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "we believed" when referring to beliefs not genuinely held by the entire group you represent. Ensure all members shared the belief to avoid misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we believed" functions as a statement of shared past conviction. It asserts that a group of individuals held a specific belief at some point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we believed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a shared past conviction or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile, appearing most commonly in news and media, but also in formal and informal contexts. When using "we believed", ensure you accurately represent the beliefs held by the entire group you are referencing and use alternatives like "we thought" or "we assumed" if the conviction wasn't strong. This approach enhances clarity and avoids misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we thought

Indicates a past opinion or consideration.

we trusted

Focuses on the act of placing confidence in someone or something.

we were convinced

Highlights a strong past belief or certainty.

we assumed

Expresses a past supposition, often without concrete evidence.

we had confidence

Expresses a sense of assurance in a past situation.

we had faith

Emphasizes trust and confidence in someone or something.

we were under the impression

Indicates a past understanding, possibly mistaken.

we took it for granted

Suggests an unquestioned acceptance of something in the past.

we were of the belief

A more formal way to express a past conviction.

we held the opinion

Formally states a past viewpoint or judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "we believed" in a sentence?

Use "we believed" to express a shared conviction or understanding held by a group in the past. For example, "At the time, "we believed" the project would succeed".

What can I say instead of "we believed"?

Alternatives include "we thought", "we assumed", or "we were convinced", depending on the context and strength of the conviction.

Is it grammatically correct to use "we believed"?

Yes, "we believed" is grammatically correct. It is the past tense form of "we believe" and is used to describe a past belief.

What's the difference between "we believed" and "we thought"?

"We believed" implies a stronger conviction than "we thought". "We believed" suggests a firm acceptance as true, while "we thought" suggests a consideration or opinion that may not have been firmly held.