we believed that

USAGE SUMMARY

"we believed that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to introduce a new thought or opinion, or to discuss beliefs or assumptions that have been made. For example: We believed that the new policy would result in significant cost savings, but unfortunately that hasn't been the case.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We believed that might be also useful information for clinical practice [ 3, 4, 6].

BMC Cancer

We believed that once.

The Economist

"And we believed that".

The New York Times

We believed that Poland should only be for Poles".

The New York Times

"Indeed, we believed that one new assassination was being planned.

The Guardian

We believed that this information have guide meaning to the practical design of DAC system.

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

We believed that our works have provided a feasible architecture for an intelligent patent retrieval system.

Expert Systems with Applications

"Given history, we believed that any declines in home prices would be gradual.

The New York Times

We believed that if we could drag them into the fight with us, we'd win.

Harvard Business Review

We believed that the prize would encourage a positive, forward-looking understanding of Islam.

The New York Times

"We believed that someday we would get a chance to govern," Gramm recalls.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we believed that", ensure that the context clearly indicates who "we" refers to, especially in formal writing. Clearly defining the subject enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses after using "we believed that". Ensure the subsequent clause maintains a consistent past tense to avoid grammatical errors and maintain a clear narrative flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we believed that" functions as a clause introducer, setting the stage for expressing a past belief or conviction. As confirmed by Ludwig, the structure is grammatically sound and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we believed that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express a past belief or assumption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile across various contexts, including scientific, news, and business communications. While alternatives like "we assumed that" or "we thought that" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. It's crucial to maintain tense consistency and clearly define the subject for clarity. The phrase’s widespread use and clear grammatical structure make it a reliable choice for expressing past beliefs effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we assumed that

This alternative implies a belief based on less concrete evidence or a more speculative assessment.

we thought that

This is a more casual and general way of expressing a past belief or opinion.

it was our understanding that

This phrase suggests a more formal and official understanding of a situation.

we were under the impression that

This indicates a belief that may have been mistaken or not fully accurate.

our view was that

This alternative emphasizes a perspective or opinion held at a particular time.

we had the opinion that

Similar to "our view was that", this highlights a considered judgment or viewpoint.

we concluded that

This suggests that the belief was formed after some deliberation or analysis.

we determined that

This implies a more definitive finding or decision that led to the belief.

we were convinced that

This suggests a strong belief or certainty about something.

we took it for granted that

This implies that the belief was held without questioning or critical examination.

FAQs

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

"We believed that" is used to express a past belief or assumption. For example, "We believed that the project would be completed on time, but unforeseen delays occurred".

What are some alternatives to "we believed that"?

Alternatives include "we assumed that", "we thought that", or "it was our understanding that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify 'that' after 'we believed'?

While grammatically correct with "that", it is sometimes omitted in informal contexts. However, including "that" generally enhances clarity, especially in formal writing.

How does "we believed that" differ from "we believe that"?

"We believed that" indicates a past belief, while "we believe that" expresses a current belief. The difference lies in the tense, indicating whether the belief is held now or was held in the past.