Meaning & use
believes
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“believes” is a form of “believe”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
Accepts that something is true or real, or thinks it is probably so, without absolute proof.
Grammar: Often takes a that-clause: he believes that it will rain.
Patterns
- someone believes (that) something
- someone believes something
She believes that hard work always pays off.
My brother believes the story, though I have doubts.
The police say he believes the witness is telling the truth.
verbintransitive
Has trust in someone or in an idea, or has faith in its value or existence.
Grammar: Often with 'in': she believes in kindness.
Patterns
- someone believes in someone
- someone believes in something
Our coach believes in every player on the team.
He believes in luck and never walks under ladders.
She believes in giving people a second chance.
Word forms
| base form | believe |
|---|---|
| past tense | believed |
| past participle | believed |
| -ing form | believing |
Common combinations
- firmly believes
- He firmly believes that honesty matters.
- genuinely believes
- She genuinely believes the plan will work.
- believes in yourself
- A good leader believes in herself.
- believes a word
- Nobody believes a word he says.
- strongly believes
- The mayor strongly believes in public parks.
Synonyms and how they differ
- thinks
- Thinks is more casual and less certain; believes suggests a firmer conviction.
- trusts
- Trusts focuses on relying on a person, while believes is about accepting something as true.
- assumes
- Assumes means accepting something without checking, while believes can come from real conviction.
- maintains
- Maintains is more formal and suggests holding to a view even when challenged.
Opposites
Word family
- belief noun
- something accepted as true
- believer noun
- a person who has faith or trust
- believable adjective
- able to be accepted as true
- unbelievable adjective
- too surprising to be true
- disbelieve verb
- to refuse to accept as true
Commonly confused: believes or believe vs. beleive?
believes vs believe vs. beleive
The correct spelling follows the rule 'i before e': believe, never 'beleive'.
Practice
My grandmother ____ in the power of a good night's sleep.
Choose one answer.
A third-person singular subject needs 'believes'. 'Is believing' is not used for a settled opinion.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “believes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.