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B1 verb (gerund/present participle) #35 most common 14 min read

believing

Top 35

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips believing in 30 Seconds

Explanation believing in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'believing' is a word you might see in simple phrases about trust or ideas. It comes from the verb 'believe'. You use it to say that you think something is true. For example, 'I am believing you' (though 'I believe you' is more common). It is about having a thought in your head that something is real. You might hear it in songs or stories. It is a very important word because it helps you talk about your feelings and thoughts. When you are A1, you should focus on the simple meaning: to think something is true. You can use it to talk about friends, family, or simple stories. It is a positive word most of the time. For example, 'Believing in yourself is good.' This means you think you can do things well. It is a basic building block for talking about your mind and your heart. You will also see it in the phrase 'seeing is believing', which means you only think something is true if you see it with your eyes. This is a very common English saying that even beginners can learn. Just remember to spell it correctly: b-e-l-i-e-v-i-n-g. Don't forget the 'i' before the 'e'!

At the A2 level, you start to use 'believing' in slightly more complex ways. You might use it as a gerund, which is when a verb acts like a noun. For example, 'Believing in ghosts is scary for some children.' Here, 'believing' is the subject of the sentence. You also learn that 'believing' is the '-ing' form of 'believe'. While we usually say 'I believe', we use 'believing' when we want to talk about the act of belief itself. You might also see it in sentences that explain why someone did something. For example, 'Believing it was sunny, I went to the park.' This means 'Because I thought it was sunny, I went to the park.' This is a very useful way to make your sentences longer and more interesting. You should also know the phrase 'believing in someone'. This means you trust them and think they can succeed. It is a very common way to encourage a friend. At this level, you should practice using 'believing' with prepositions like 'in'. Remember that we 'believe in' things like dreams, magic, or people, but we 'believe' things like news or stories. This small difference is important for speaking correctly.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'believing' in various grammatical structures. You understand that 'believe' is a stative verb, so you rarely use it in the present continuous ('I am believing'). Instead, you use 'believing' as a gerund or a participle. As a participle, it helps you connect ideas. For example, 'Believing he had enough money, he entered the store.' This shows a cause-and-effect relationship. You also start to recognize 'believing' in more abstract contexts, such as 'believing in a cause' or 'believing in a philosophy'. You can use it to discuss opinions and values. You might also encounter it in idioms and common expressions. At this level, you should be able to distinguish between 'believing' and 'knowing'. 'Believing' implies a personal conviction that might not have proof, while 'knowing' implies a fact. This distinction is important for expressing yourself accurately in discussions. You should also be careful with spelling and avoid common mistakes like 'beleiving'. Practice using 'believing' to describe your motivations and the reasons behind your actions. It is a key word for moving from simple descriptions to more complex explanations of human behavior and thought processes.

At the B2 level, you use 'believing' with greater precision and sophistication. You can use participial phrases at the beginning of sentences to create a more formal and literary tone. For example, 'Believing that the negotiations would fail, the diplomat prepared a backup plan.' You also understand the nuance of using 'believing' in the progressive form to indicate a developing state of mind, such as 'I am gradually believing that this might be the best solution.' This shows a more advanced grasp of how English verbs can be manipulated for emphasis. You are also aware of the social and psychological implications of the word. You can discuss the concept of 'believing' in relation to media literacy, critical thinking, and social influence. You might use the word in debates about faith, science, or politics. At this level, you should also be familiar with synonyms like 'trusting', 'accepting', or 'convinced' and know when to use each one. You can analyze how 'believing' is used in literature to develop character motivations. Your writing should show a clear understanding of how 'believing' functions as a gerund to discuss abstract concepts. You are also able to identify and correct 'dangling participles' in your own work and the work of others.

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 'believing' and its role in complex discourse. You can use it to explore philosophical and epistemological questions. For instance, you might discuss the 'act of believing' as a foundational element of human cognition or social structures. You are adept at using 'believing' in highly formal writing, such as academic essays or professional reports, to qualify arguments or describe theoretical frameworks. You understand the subtle differences between 'believing in' (existential or moral trust) and 'believing that' (propositional acceptance). You can use the word to critique arguments, noting where an author is 'believing' something without sufficient evidence. Your vocabulary includes advanced related terms like 'credulity', 'skepticism', and 'conviction'. You can also use 'believing' in idiomatic and metaphorical ways with ease. You are sensitive to the register of the word, knowing when it sounds too informal and when it adds a necessary human touch to a technical discussion. You can also analyze the use of 'believing' in persuasive rhetoric, identifying how it is used to appeal to an audience's emotions or values. Your mastery of the word allows you to use it as a tool for precise and evocative communication in any context.

At the C2 level, your use of 'believing' is indistinguishable from that of a highly articulate native speaker. You can employ it in the most complex grammatical structures, including those involving inversion or sophisticated clausal relationships. You have a deep appreciation for the word's etymological roots and its evolution in the English language. You can use 'believing' to discuss the most abstract and profound concepts in philosophy, theology, and psychology. You are aware of the word's power in narrative, using it to create subtle shifts in perspective or to explore the depths of a character's psyche. You can effortlessly navigate the different registers of the word, from the highly technical to the poetic. You are also capable of using 'believing' in wordplay, irony, and satire. Your understanding of the word extends to its use in various dialects and historical periods of English. You can engage in high-level academic debates about the nature of 'believing' versus 'knowing' or 'perceiving'. For you, 'believing' is not just a word, but a versatile instrument for exploring and expressing the complexities of human thought and experience. You use it with a level of precision and creativity that enhances the clarity and impact of your communication, whether written or spoken.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

believing in 30 Seconds

Believing is the act of accepting something as true or real, often without absolute proof.
It can be a noun (gerund) meaning 'faith' or a participle explaining a person's motivation.
Commonly used with 'in' for trust or existence, and 'that' for facts or propositions.
It is a central concept in psychology, religion, and daily interpersonal communication.

The term 'believing' functions as the present participle and gerund form of the verb 'believe'. At its core, it represents the internal process of accepting a proposition, a person, or a concept as truthful or existent. Unlike 'knowing', which often implies empirical evidence or objective certainty, 'believing' resides in the realm of conviction, trust, and mental assent. It is a dynamic state of mind that bridges the gap between the unknown and the accepted. In everyday conversation, we use 'believing' to describe our ongoing states of faith or our reactions to information we receive. It is a foundational human activity that allows us to navigate a world where we cannot possibly verify every single fact ourselves.

Cognitive Acceptance: The mental act of concluding that something is true based on evidence, intuition, or authority.

When we talk about 'believing', we often refer to the strength of one's conviction. It is not merely a binary 'yes' or 'no' but a spectrum of certainty. One might be 'believing' something tentatively, or they might be 'believing' with absolute, unwavering fervor. This word is frequently used in religious, philosophical, and interpersonal contexts. For instance, 'believing in someone' implies a deep-seated trust in their character or potential, whereas 'believing a story' suggests a cognitive agreement with the facts presented. The gerund form, 'believing', often acts as a noun, representing the concept of faith itself, as seen in the famous adage 'seeing is believing'.

After years of doubt, she finally found herself believing in the possibility of a better future.

Furthermore, 'believing' is used in the participial sense to describe a state that influences other actions. For example, 'Believing the rain had stopped, he went outside without an umbrella.' Here, the state of believing provides the rationale for the subsequent action. It shows how our internal perceptions dictate our external behavior. In modern psychological terms, 'believing' is linked to our cognitive schemas—the frameworks through which we interpret the world. If we are 'believing' that the world is a safe place, our interactions will reflect that openness. Conversely, 'believing' that danger lurks everywhere leads to a more guarded existence.

Trust and Reliance: Placing confidence in a person's word or a system's integrity without immediate proof.

He stood there, believing every word of the salesman's pitch despite his friends' warnings.

In literature and media, 'believing' is a powerful motif. It often represents the turning point for a protagonist who must overcome skepticism to achieve a goal. The act of 'believing' in a dream or a cause is portrayed as a heroic feat of will. It is also used to explore the dangers of gullibility, where 'believing' the wrong thing leads to tragedy. This duality makes 'believing' a rich word for exploring the human condition. It touches on our need for certainty and our vulnerability to deception. Whether it is 'believing' in a scientific theory or 'believing' in a supernatural entity, the word captures the essence of how we commit our minds to ideas.

Subjective Reality: The process by which internal convictions shape how an individual perceives external events.

By believing in the project's success, the team worked harder than ever before.

Believing that honesty is the best policy, she told the truth even when it was difficult.

There is a certain magic in believing in things you cannot see.

Using 'believing' correctly requires an understanding of its roles as a gerund, a present participle, and occasionally as part of a continuous verb phrase. As a gerund, 'believing' functions as a noun. It can be the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or the object of a preposition. For example, in the sentence 'Believing is difficult after a betrayal', 'believing' is the subject. This usage focuses on the concept of belief as an abstract noun. It allows writers to discuss the act of faith as a central theme or action. It is often paired with other gerunds to create parallel structures, such as 'Seeing is believing, but feeling is knowing'.

Gerund as Subject: Using the word as the main noun performing the action of the sentence.

As a present participle, 'believing' often introduces a participial phrase that modifies a noun or a pronoun. This is a common way to provide background information or to explain the reason for an action. For instance, 'Believing the train had left, Sarah walked to the bus station.' In this case, 'believing' explains Sarah's motivation. This structure is very common in narrative writing to show a character's internal state without using a separate sentence. It creates a more fluid and sophisticated prose style. It is important to ensure that the participle correctly refers to the subject of the main clause to avoid 'dangling participles'.

Believing he was late, he ran all the way to the office.

Another important usage is in the context of 'believing in'. This phrasal construction is used to express trust in someone's ability or the existence of something. 'I am believing in you' is less common than 'I believe in you' because 'believe' is a stative verb. However, the progressive form 'believing' can be used for emphasis or to describe a changing state. For example, 'I am slowly believing that he might be right.' This suggests a process of gradual acceptance rather than a fixed state. In many dialects, especially in South Asia, the progressive form 'I am believing' is used more frequently than in standard British or American English.

Participial Phrases: Starting a sentence with 'believing' to explain the reason for the main action.

She left the room, believing that her work there was done.

In formal writing, 'believing' can be used to qualify a statement or to introduce a perspective. Phrases like 'believing as I do' or 'believing it to be true' add a layer of personal conviction to an argument. It signals to the reader that the subsequent points are based on a specific set of assumptions or values. This is common in persuasive essays and legal documents. In academic writing, 'believing' is often replaced by more formal terms like 'positing' or 'assuming', but it remains a versatile tool for expressing the human element of intellectual inquiry. It reminds us that all knowledge starts with a certain degree of belief.

Object of Preposition: Using 'believing' after words like 'by', 'without', or 'for'.

You won't achieve anything without believing in yourself first.

By believing the lies, they made themselves vulnerable to the scam.

He was criticized for believing rumors without checking the facts.

'Believing' is a word that permeates various aspects of daily life, from casual conversations to high-stakes professional environments. You will hear it frequently in motivational speeches and self-help contexts. Phrases like 'Keep on believing' or 'Believing in your dreams' are staples of the inspiration industry. In these settings, the word is used to encourage persistence and optimism. It serves as a call to action, urging people to maintain their mental focus on a positive outcome despite obstacles. This usage highlights the emotional and psychological power of belief as a catalyst for change and achievement.

Motivational Contexts: Encouraging someone to maintain faith in themselves or a goal.

In the realm of news and journalism, 'believing' is often used when reporting on public opinion or the motivations of individuals. Reporters might say, 'Many citizens are now believing that the new policy will fail,' or 'Believing that the suspect was armed, the police took extra precautions.' In these instances, the word helps to explain the 'why' behind actions and social trends. It frames the narrative around the perceptions of the people involved. It is also common in interviews, where subjects describe their thought processes: 'I was believing what I saw on social media, but now I know better.' This shows the word's utility in describing the evolution of thought.

'Don't stop believing' is a classic song lyric that resonates with millions.

In legal and forensic contexts, the word 'believing' is used to describe 'reasonable belief' or 'probable cause'. A judge might evaluate whether an officer was 'believing' a crime was in progress based on the evidence at hand. This is a technical use where the state of mind has legal consequences. Similarly, in scientific discourse, researchers might talk about 'believing' a hypothesis until it is disproven, though they might prefer more clinical terms like 'accepting' or 'hypothesizing'. However, in the history of science, the transition from 'believing' in one paradigm to another is a central theme, as seen in the works of Thomas Kuhn.

Pop Culture and Music: The word is a frequent theme in lyrics, movies, and literature, symbolizing hope and conviction.

The witness testified, believing she was doing the right thing for the community.

You will also hear 'believing' in religious and spiritual settings. It is the cornerstone of many faiths, where 'believing' in a higher power or a set of doctrines is the primary requirement for membership. In these communities, the word carries a weight of sacred commitment. It is not just about facts, but about a way of living and seeing the world. Phrases like 'the believing community' or 'believing with all your heart' are common. This usage emphasizes the communal and emotional aspects of belief, showing how it can bind people together through shared convictions and rituals.

Legal and Official Use: Describing the mental state of an individual in a professional or legal capacity.

The investigator acted, believing there was an immediate threat to public safety.

In the movie, the child's believing in Santa Claus is what saves Christmas.

Are you believing what you're hearing, or are you skeptical?

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 'believing' involves its use in the continuous (progressive) tense. Because 'believe' is a stative verb—a verb that describes a state of being rather than a physical action—it is usually not used in the '-ing' form to describe a current state. For example, saying 'I am believing you' is generally considered incorrect in standard English; instead, one should say 'I believe you'. However, 'believing' is perfectly correct when used as a gerund ('Believing is hard') or a participle ('Believing he was right, he continued'). Understanding this distinction is crucial for sounding natural.

Stative Verb Error: Using 'believing' in the present continuous to express a simple fact of belief.

Another common error is the 'dangling participle'. This occurs when a sentence starts with a participial phrase like 'Believing the door was locked...', but the subject that follows is not the person who did the believing. For example: 'Believing the door was locked, the key was turned.' This implies the key was doing the believing! The correct version would be: 'Believing the door was locked, John turned the key.' This mistake can lead to confusion or unintended humor in writing. Always ensure the 'believer' is the subject of the main clause that follows the participial phrase.

Incorrect: Believing it was late, the meeting ended. (The meeting didn't believe anything!)

Confusing 'believing' with 'knowing' is a conceptual mistake. While they are related, 'believing' implies a lack of absolute proof, whereas 'knowing' implies certainty. Using 'believing' when you actually have proof can make you sound unsure. Conversely, using 'knowing' when you only have a strong opinion can sound arrogant or factually incorrect. In academic writing, it is important to choose the right word to reflect the level of evidence available. Another subtle mistake is the misuse of prepositions. We 'believe in' a person or a concept, but we 'believe' a statement or a fact. Saying 'I am believing in that he is right' is a common structural error; it should be 'I believe that he is right'.

Dangling Participle: Failing to link the participial phrase to the correct subject in the sentence.

Correct: Believing it was late, the manager ended the meeting.

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the spelling of 'believing'. The 'i before e except after c' rule applies here (b-e-l-i-e-v-i-n-g). It is common to see 'beleiving' or 'beliving'. Additionally, when adding '-ing' to 'believe', the silent 'e' at the end of the root word must be dropped. Forgetting to drop the 'e' results in the incorrect 'believeing'. These small orthographic errors can detract from the professionalism of your writing. Practicing the spelling and understanding the grammatical constraints of stative verbs will help you use 'believing' with confidence and accuracy.

Spelling and Suffixes: Commonly misspelled as 'beleiving' or 'believeing'.

He spent the whole day believing he had won the lottery, only to find out it was a prank.

Stop believing everything you read on the internet!

There is no harm in believing in the best in people.

While 'believing' is a versatile word, there are many alternatives that can provide more precision depending on the context. 'Trusting' is a close synonym, but it focuses more on the emotional reliance on a person rather than the cognitive acceptance of a fact. You might be 'believing' a story, but 'trusting' the storyteller. 'Accepting' is another alternative, often used when someone comes to terms with a difficult truth or a new reality. It implies a more passive or resigned state than the active conviction of 'believing'. In academic or formal settings, 'assuming' or 'presuming' are often preferred when a belief is based on logic or probability rather than faith.

Trusting vs. Believing: 'Trusting' is about character and reliability; 'believing' is about truth and existence.

'Convinced' is a powerful alternative that suggests a high level of certainty reached after some deliberation or exposure to evidence. If you are 'believing' something, you might still have doubts, but if you are 'convinced', those doubts have been largely resolved. 'Faith' is the noun form often associated with 'believing', but 'having faith' can sometimes sound more formal or spiritual. 'Supposing' is a much weaker alternative, used when one is considering a possibility without much commitment. For example, 'I'm believing he'll come' sounds more certain than 'I'm supposing he'll come'. Choosing the right level of intensity is key to effective communication.

Instead of just believing, he sought to be fully convinced by the data.

In more specialized contexts, you might use 'crediting' or 'subscribing to'. 'Crediting' is often used in the sense of giving weight to a theory or a rumor: 'He is crediting the reports of a merger.' 'Subscribing to' is used for ideologies or sets of beliefs: 'She is subscribing to the idea that less is more.' These alternatives add a layer of sophistication and can help avoid repetitive use of 'believing'. 'Expecting' is another related word, but it focuses on the future outcome rather than the current mental state. 'Believing' that someone will win is the foundation for 'expecting' them to win. Understanding these nuances allows for more nuanced and descriptive writing.

Assuming vs. Believing: 'Assuming' is taking something for granted for the sake of argument; 'believing' is a deeper personal commitment.

She was trusting her instincts, which led her to stop believing the false narrative.

Finally, consider 'relying on' or 'counting on'. These phrases emphasize the practical application of belief. If you are 'believing' in a system, you are likely 'relying on' it to work. In many cases, the best alternative is simply to rephrase the sentence to use the base verb 'believe' or a different structure entirely. However, having a repertoire of synonyms like 'affirming', 'maintaining', or 'holding' (as in 'holding a belief') can make your English sound more varied and precise. Each of these words carries its own connotation, from the formal 'affirming' to the more casual 'trusting', allowing you to tailor your language to your audience and purpose.

Accepting vs. Believing: 'Accepting' can be a logical conclusion; 'believing' often involves the heart and intuition.

By subscribing to this philosophy, he found himself believing in a new way of life.

He was presuming success, but he wasn't yet believing it was guaranteed.

Stop doubting and start believing in your own potential.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root of 'believe' is actually related to the word 'love' (Old English 'lufu'). Originally, to believe something was to 'hold it dear' or treat it as beloved.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bɪˈliːvɪŋ/

US /bəˈliːvɪŋ/

be-LIE-ving

Rhymes With

leaving weaving grieving heaving achieving retrieving conceiving deceiving

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'ie' as a short 'i'.
Adding an extra syllable like 'be-lee-a-ving'.
Stress on the first syllable.
Mumbling the 'ng' ending.
Confusing the 'v' sound with a 'b' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context.

Writing 4/5

Requires understanding of stative verb rules and participial phrases.

Speaking 3/5

Natural usage in the progressive form is tricky.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in many contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

believe think trust true real

Learn Next

conviction skepticism proposition empirical stative

Advanced

epistemology credulity dogmatism tenet assent

Grammar to Know

Stative Verbs

We usually say 'I believe' instead of 'I am believing'.

Gerunds as Subjects

'Believing is seeing' uses the gerund as a noun.

Participial Phrases

'Believing he was late, he ran' uses a participle to show cause.

Prepositional Gerunds

After 'in', 'of', or 'by', use the -ing form: 'He is capable of believing'.

Dangling Participles

Avoid: 'Believing it was raining, the umbrella was opened.' (The umbrella didn't believe).

Examples by Level

I am believing you.

Je te crois.

Simple present participle usage.

Believing in yourself is good.

Croire en soi est une bonne chose.

Gerund as a subject.

He is believing the story.

Il croit à l'histoire.

Present participle as a state.

Seeing is believing.

Voir, c'est croire.

Common idiom with two gerunds.

She is believing in magic.

Elle croit à la magie.

Use of 'in' for existence.

They are believing the news.

Ils croient aux nouvelles.

Direct object after the verb.

Are you believing me?

Tu me crois ?

Interrogative form.

I like believing in dreams.

J'aime croire aux rêves.

Gerund as the object of 'like'.

Believing it was late, I went home.

Croyant qu'il était tard, je suis rentré.

Participial phrase for reason.

She stopped believing in Santa Claus.

Elle a arrêté de croire au Père Noël.

Gerund after the verb 'stop'.

Believing in your team helps you win.

Croire en son équipe aide à gagner.

Gerund phrase as subject.

He was believing every word she said.

Il croyait chaque mot qu'elle disait.

Past continuous for emphasis.

Without believing, you cannot succeed.

Sans y croire, on ne peut pas réussir.

Gerund after the preposition 'without'.

Believing the map, they turned left.

Croyant la carte, ils ont tourné à gauche.

Participial phrase modifying the subject.

Is believing in ghosts common here?

Est-ce que croire aux fantômes est courant ici ?

Gerund in a question.

I am believing that things will get better.

Je crois que les choses vont s'améliorer.

Present participle with a 'that' clause.

Believing that he was alone, he started to sing.

Croyant qu'il était seul, il se mit à chanter.

Participial phrase showing a state of mind.

Her believing in the project inspired us all.

Le fait qu'elle croie au projet nous a tous inspirés.

Possessive + gerund (formal).

I find myself believing his excuses again.

Je me surprends à croire encore à ses excuses.

Gerund after 'find myself'.

Believing in a higher power is important to her.

Croire en une puissance supérieure est important pour elle.

Gerund phrase as a subject.

He was criticized for believing the rumors.

Il a été critiqué pour avoir cru aux rumeurs.

Gerund after the preposition 'for'.

Believing the evidence was faked, she called the police.

Croyant que les preuves étaient fausses, elle a appelé la police.

Participial phrase explaining an action.

There is no point in believing a liar.

Cela ne sert à rien de croire un menteur.

Gerund after 'point in'.

I am slowly believing that this is the truth.

Je commence lentement à croire que c'est la vérité.

Present continuous to show a change.

Believing as I do in the power of education, I support this school.

Croyant comme je le fais au pouvoir de l'éducation, je soutiens cette école.

Formal participial construction.

The act of believing can be a source of great strength.

L'acte de croire peut être une source de grande force.

Gerund as part of a noun phrase.

Believing that the war was over, the soldiers celebrated.

Croyant que la guerre était finie, les soldats ont fêté.

Participial phrase providing context.

She was accused of believing her own lies.

Elle a été accusée de croire à ses propres mensonges.

Gerund after 'accused of'.

Believing in the impossible is the first step to achieving it.

Croire en l'impossible est la première étape pour y parvenir.

Gerund as a subject in a complex sentence.

He stood there, believing that his life was about to change.

Il se tenait là, croyant que sa vie était sur le point de changer.

Participial phrase modifying the subject.

By believing in the community, we can make a difference.

En croyant en la communauté, nous pouvons faire une différence.

Gerund after 'by' to show means.

Is believing always better than doubting?

Est-ce que croire est toujours mieux que douter ?

Comparison of two gerunds.

Believing, as many do, that the economy is failing, they started saving money.

Croyant, comme beaucoup, que l'économie s'effondre, ils ont commencé à épargner.

Complex participial phrase with an appositive.

The psychological weight of believing a falsehood can be immense.

Le poids psychologique de croire à un mensonge peut être immense.

Gerund in a complex noun phrase.

Believing that the ends justify the means is a dangerous philosophy.

Croire que la fin justifie les moyens est une philosophie dangereuse.

Gerund phrase as a complex subject.

He was far from believing the official version of events.

Il était loin de croire à la version officielle des faits.

Gerund after 'far from'.

Believing in the inherent goodness of people, he left his door unlocked.

Croyant en la bonté inhérente des gens, il a laissé sa porte non verrouillée.

Participial phrase describing character.

The difficulty lies in believing something that contradicts your senses.

La difficulté réside dans le fait de croire quelque chose qui contredit vos sens.

Gerund after 'lies in'.

Believing that he had been betrayed, he cut all ties with his family.

Croyant avoir été trahi, il a rompu tout lien avec sa famille.

Participial phrase showing motivation.

Is the act of believing fundamentally irrational?

L'acte de croire est-il fondamentalement irrationnel ?

Gerund as the head of a noun phrase.

Believing, albeit tentatively, in the prospect of peace, the leaders met.

Croyant, bien que timidement, à la perspective de la paix, les dirigeants se sont rencontrés.

Participial phrase with an adverbial insertion.

The sheer audacity of believing one can change the world is remarkable.

L'audace pure de croire que l'on peut changer le monde est remarquable.

Gerund in a highly complex noun phrase.

Believing that silence was consent, he proceeded with the plan.

Croyant que le silence valait consentement, il a poursuivi le plan.

Participial phrase using a legal/philosophical concept.

One cannot help but admire his unwavering believing in the face of adversity.

On ne peut s'empêcher d'admirer sa croyance inébranlable face à l'adversité.

Gerund used as a noun with an adjective.

Believing that the truth is subjective leads to a fragmented society.

Croire que la vérité est subjective mène à une société fragmentée.

Gerund phrase as a subject in a philosophical statement.

He was caught in the trap of believing his own propaganda.

Il a été pris au piège de croire à sa propre propagande.

Gerund after 'trap of'.

Believing that the past is a foreign country, she never looked back.

Croyant que le passé est un pays étranger, elle n'a jamais regardé en arrière.

Participial phrase using a literary metaphor.

The essence of faith is believing without seeing.

L'essence de la foi est de croire sans voir.

Gerund as a complement.

Common Collocations

firmly believing

stop believing

start believing

believing in magic

believing in ghosts

believing the hype

believing every word

believing your own lies

believing in a cause

believing the evidence

Common Phrases

seeing is believing

— You only believe something when you see it.

I didn't think he could jump that high, but seeing is believing.

believing in yourself

— Having confidence in your own abilities.

Believing in yourself is the secret to success.

keep on believing

— Continue to have faith despite difficulties.

Just keep on believing, and things will work out.

believing the best

— Assuming someone has good intentions.

I'm always believing the best of people until they prove me wrong.

believing against hope

— Continuing to believe when there is no reason to.

He was believing against hope that his dog would return.

not believing my eyes

— Being very surprised by what you see.

I'm not believing my eyes; is that really you?

believing is half the battle

— Having a positive attitude is a major part of success.

Don't worry, believing is half the battle.

believing in the system

— Trusting that a set of rules or government works.

People are slowly losing interest in believing in the system.

believing your ears

— Trusting what you have heard.

I'm not believing my ears; did he really say that?

believing in a dream

— Having faith that a future goal is possible.

Believing in a dream requires a lot of courage.

Often Confused With

believing vs knowing

Knowing implies proof; believing implies conviction without proof.

believing vs trusting

Trusting is more about people; believing is more about ideas or facts.

believing vs feeling

Feeling is emotional; believing is a mental acceptance of truth.

Idioms & Expressions

"seeing is believing"

— Concrete proof is necessary for conviction.

They say the house is haunted, but seeing is believing.

neutral

"believing is half the battle"

— Confidence is a significant part of achieving a goal.

You can do it! Believing is half the battle.

informal

"not believing one's eyes/ears"

— To be extremely surprised or shocked.

I wasn't believing my eyes when I saw the score.

neutral

"believing against all hope"

— To maintain faith in a nearly impossible situation.

She was believing against all hope for a miracle.

literary

"believing the moon is made of green cheese"

— To be incredibly gullible or believe something absurd.

He's so naive, he'd end up believing the moon is made of green cheese.

informal

"believing in the tooth fairy"

— To hold a childish or unrealistic belief.

You're too old to be believing in the tooth fairy.

informal

"believing in your own press"

— To become arrogant by believing the praise you receive.

The actor started believing in his own press and became difficult to work with.

neutral

"believing you're God's gift"

— To be extremely conceited.

He acts like he's believing he's God's gift to women.

informal

"believing in the power of prayer"

— To have faith that spiritual intervention works.

Many people find comfort in believing in the power of prayer.

neutral

"believing the worst"

— To assume the most negative outcome or intention.

Why are you always believing the worst of me?

neutral

Easily Confused

believing vs belief

Both relate to faith.

'Belief' is a noun (the thing you hold); 'believing' is the action or state.

His belief is strong, but believing is hard.

believing vs believable

Similar root.

'Believable' is an adjective meaning 'able to be believed'.

The story was not very believable.

believing vs believer

Refers to the person.

'Believer' is a noun for a person who believes.

He is a true believer.

believing vs believingly

Adverb form.

'Believingly' describes how an action is done.

She looked at him believingly.

believing vs disbelieving

Opposite meaning.

'Disbelieving' means refusing to believe.

He gave her a disbelieving look.

Sentence Patterns

I am believing + object.

I am believing you.

Believing + clause, + subject + verb.

Believing it was cold, I wore a coat.

Subject + verb + by believing + noun.

He won by believing in himself.

The act of believing + verb.

The act of believing is powerful.

Believing, as + subject + does, + clause.

Believing, as she does, that art is vital, she paints daily.

It is in believing + that + clause.

It is in believing that we find meaning.

Stop + believing + noun.

Stop believing the rumors.

Believing + object + to be + adjective.

Believing the story to be true, he shared it.

Word Family

Nouns

belief

believer

disbelief

Verbs

believe

disbelieve

Adjectives

believable

unbelievable

believing

faith

trust

conviction

credence

dogma

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written English, especially in motivational and religious contexts.

Common Mistakes

I am believing in you. → I believe in you.
'Believe' is a stative verb and usually doesn't take the continuous form.
Believing the rain, the umbrella was opened. → Believing it would rain, he opened the umbrella.
This is a dangling participle; the umbrella cannot believe.
I have a strong believing. → I have a strong belief.
'Belief' is the noun; 'believing' is the gerund/participle.
He is beleiving the lies. → He is believing the lies.
Spelling error: 'i' before 'e'.
She is believeing in magic. → She is believing in magic.
Spelling error: forget to drop the 'e'.

Tips

Stative Verb Rule

Avoid using 'believing' in the present continuous for simple facts. Use 'I believe' instead.

Participial Phrases

Use 'believing' at the start of a sentence to explain a character's motivation concisely.

Drop the E

Always drop the final 'e' in 'believe' when adding the '-ing' suffix.

In vs. That

Use 'believing in' for trust/existence and 'believing that' for facts/propositions.

Parallelism

Pair 'believing' with other gerunds for a balanced sentence, like 'Seeing is believing'.

Emphasis

Use 'I'm not believing this' to show strong surprise in informal conversations.

Belief vs. Knowledge

Use 'believing' when there is room for doubt and 'knowing' when there is proof.

Idioms

Learn common idioms like 'seeing is believing' to sound more like a native speaker.

Context Clues

Look for the subject after a participial phrase to understand who is doing the believing.

Mnemonic

Remember: 'Believing' has 'LIE' in it, but it's the path to your 'TRUTH'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Believe has 'LIE' in the middle, but believing is about finding the TRUTH.

Visual Association

Imagine a bridge connecting a person's head to a shining star. The bridge is labeled 'believing'.

Word Web

Faith Trust Truth Mind Heart Conviction Acceptance Hope

Challenge

Write three sentences using 'believing' as a gerund, a participle, and a progressive verb.

Word Origin

The word 'believing' comes from the Middle English 'beleving', which is the present participle of 'beleven'. This, in turn, comes from the Old English 'belēfan' or 'belȳfan'. The root is related to the Proto-Germanic '*laubjan', meaning 'to hold dear' or 'to trust'.

Original meaning: To hold dear, to love, or to trust.

Germanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'believing' in religious contexts, as it is a deeply personal and sensitive topic for many.

The phrase 'seeing is believing' is a fundamental part of the English-speaking worldview, emphasizing empirical evidence.

'Don't Stop Believin'' by Journey 'Seeing is Believing' (various films/books) The 'I Want to Believe' poster from The X-Files

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Personal Growth

believing in yourself
believing in your dreams
keep on believing
start believing

Religion/Faith

believing in God
the believing community
believing with all your heart
act of believing

Legal/News

believing the testimony
believing the evidence
reason for believing
falsely believing

Relationships

believing your partner
stop believing lies
trusting and believing
believing the best

Everyday Logic

believing it's true
believing the weather report
seeing is believing
hard time believing

Conversation Starters

"Do you think believing in something is more important than knowing it?"

"What is something you stopped believing in as you got older?"

"Why is believing in yourself so difficult sometimes?"

"Do you agree that seeing is believing, or can we believe without seeing?"

"Is believing the best of people a good or bad trait?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time when believing in a dream helped you overcome a challenge.

Reflect on a belief you held that turned out to be false. How did you feel?

Describe what 'believing in yourself' looks like in your daily life.

How does believing in a community change the way you interact with others?

Is there a difference between believing a fact and believing in a person?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In standard English, 'I believe you' is preferred because 'believe' is a stative verb. However, 'I am believing you' can be used for emphasis or to show a changing state.

'Believing' is the action or state of having faith, while 'belief' is the actual idea or conviction that you hold.

Yes, as a gerund, 'believing' functions as a noun, such as in the sentence 'Believing is seeing'.

It is spelled b-e-l-i-e-v-i-n-g. Remember to drop the 'e' from 'believe' before adding '-ing'.

It means that people are often skeptical until they see physical evidence of something with their own eyes.

It can be both. It's a gerund when it acts as a noun and a participle when it acts as a verb or adjective.

Use 'believing in' when referring to the existence of something (like ghosts) or trust in someone's character or potential.

It's when the subject of the sentence doesn't match the person doing the believing, e.g., 'Believing it was noon, the bell rang'.

It is used, but often replaced by more formal terms like 'assuming', 'positing', or 'maintaining'.

Yes, in phrases like 'a believing heart' or 'the believing public', though it is less common than other forms.