we have reason to believe

USAGE SUMMARY

"we have reason to believe" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, but it is often used when talking about a belief or theory based on evidence or logical reasoning. Example: "After examining the data, we have reason to believe that the new marketing strategy will lead to an increase in sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We have reason to believe it is related to oil.

The Guardian

Do we have reason to believe in the existence of immortal souls?

Yale University

"And we have reason to believe it is on FSB [Russian security services] bases".

Independent

We have reason to believe she is headed for the city".

The New York Times

There is no evidence that we have reason to believe we are different.

The Guardian

We have reason to believe that this was intended to be a robbery".

The New York Times

"We have reason to believe that some of the negligence was intentional," he said.

The New York Times

"We have reason to believe that Pius XII didn't do enough to save Jewish life.

The Guardian

But, in part because of our military effort, we have reason to believe that progress can be made.

The New York Times

"We have reason to believe he's coming for Governor Christie," said a staff member from Chris Christie's office.

The New Yorker

"We have reason to believe that the ties between these two individuals go back to the nineteen-seventies," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have reason to believe" when you want to express a belief that is based on some evidence or logical inference, but without stating it as a definite fact.

Common error

Avoid using "we have reason to believe" when you possess definitive proof. Instead, opt for stronger statements like "we know" or "we have confirmed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have reason to believe" functions as an epistemic marker, indicating the speaker's level of confidence in a statement. It suggests that the belief is based on some form of evidence or reasoning, rather than being a mere hunch or opinion. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse domains confirming this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

37%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we have reason to believe" is a common phrase used to express a belief based on evidence or logical reasoning. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It's prevalent in news, science, and academic contexts, signaling an informed opinion without absolute certainty. For alternatives, consider "we have reason to suppose" or "the evidence suggests". When using this phrase, ensure your belief is genuinely supported by some form of evidence to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we have reason to suppose

Emphasizes making an assumption based on some evidence.

we have reason to expect

Highlights anticipation of a future event based on current indicators.

we have reason to think

Focuses on the mental process of forming an opinion based on available information.

we have cause to believe

Indicates the existence of justification or grounds for holding a belief.

we are inclined to believe

Suggests a predisposition or leaning towards a particular belief.

we are led to believe

Implies that external factors or information have influenced the formation of a belief.

it is reasonable to assume

Highlights the logical justification for making an assumption.

it is fair to assume

Suggests that an assumption is justified based on the circumstances.

the evidence suggests

Emphasizes the role of evidence in supporting a particular conclusion.

the data indicates

Highlights the role of data in supporting a particular conclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "we have reason to believe" in a sentence?

You can use "we have reason to believe" to express a belief based on evidence or logical inference, such as: "Based on the new evidence, we have reason to believe that the suspect is hiding in the city".

What are some alternatives to "we have reason to believe"?

Alternatives include phrases like "we have reason to suppose", "we have reason to expect", or "the evidence suggests", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "we have reason to believe" or "we believe"?

"We have reason to believe" implies that there's a basis for the belief, whereas "we believe" can simply state an opinion without specific justification. The former is often more persuasive.

What is the difference between "we have reason to believe" and "we suspect"?

"We have reason to believe" indicates a belief based on some evidence, while "we suspect" suggests a feeling that something is true or likely, often without concrete evidence. "We have reason to believe" is a more firm statement than "we suspect".