have faith

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   To trust or believe in someone or something, especially when you cannot prove it.

   Grammar: Used with 'in' before the person or thing trusted: have faith in someone. Can also stand alone: Just have faith.

   Patterns

   • have faith in someone
   • have faith in something
   • have faith that + clause

   You need to have faith in your own abilities if you want to succeed.

   She still has faith that her son will come home safely.

   The team had faith in their coach even after several losses.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasereligion

   To believe strongly in a religion or in God.

   Grammar: Often used without 'in' when talking about religious belief: have faith.

   Patterns

   • have faith
   • have faith in God

   Many people have faith and pray every day.

   She said she has faith and goes to church on Sundays.

Common combinations

have faith in somebody

I have faith in you; I know you can do this.

have faith that

We have faith that things will improve soon.

lose faith

He lost faith in the system after waiting months for a reply.

keep faith

It's hard to keep faith when everything goes wrong.

a leap of faith

Starting her own business was a leap of faith.

Synonyms and how they differ

trust

Trust is more general and can be based on experience; have faith often suggests belief without proof.

believe in

Believe in can mean 'think someone has value' or 'think something exists'; have faith in focuses on trust and confidence.

Opposites

Word family

faithful adjective

Loyal and reliable; staying true to someone or something.

faithfully adverb

In a loyal and reliable way.

faithfulness noun

The quality of being loyal and reliable.

faithless adjective

Not loyal; not keeping promises or commitments.

Commonly confused: have faith or faith?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “have faith”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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