believe
‘believe’
If you believe someone or believe what they say, you think that what they say is true.
I don't believe you.
Don't believe anything you read in that newspaper.
If you believe that something is true, you think that it is true.
I believe some of those lakes are over a hundred feet deep.
Police believe that the fire was started deliberately.
Be careful
Believe is not used in the progressive. Don't say, for example, ‘I am believing you’. You say ‘I believe you’.
Believe is not used in the progressive. Don't say, for example, ‘I am believing you’. You say ‘I believe you’.
I believe that these findings should be presented to your readers.
‘don’t believe'
Instead of saying that you ‘believe that something is not’ true, you usually say that you don't believe that it is true.
I just don't believe that Alan had anything to do with it.
passive forms
You can say either that it is believed that something is true, or that something is believed to be true. For example, you can say ‘It is believed that the building is 700 years old’ or ‘The building is believed to be 700 years old’.
It is believed that two prisoners have escaped.
This is widely believed to be the tallest tree in England.
‘believe in’
If you believe in something, you think that it exists.
I don't believe in ghosts.
My children still believe in Father Christmas.
If you believe in an idea or policy, you think it is good or right.
We believe in freedom of speech.