BELIEVE


Meaning of BELIEVE in English

verb

1

BAD : You should not believe in everything you hear.

GOOD : You should not believe everything you hear.

BAD : She couldn't believe in what was happening to her.

GOOD : She couldn't believe what was happening to her.

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believe in sth = (1) accept that something exists: 'Do you believe in ghosts?' 'James still believes in Father Christmas.'

(2) think that something is good: 'I don't believe in capital punishment.' 'I believe in getting a good night's sleep before an examination.'

believe sth = accept that something is true or real: 'I believe every word she said.' 'I couldn't believe what I was seeing.'

2

BAD : I could hardly believe in my eyes.

GOOD : I could hardly believe my eyes.

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could not/hardly believe your ears/eyes (WITHOUT in )

3

BAD : I deeply believe that tourists will stop coming here.

GOOD : I firmly believe that tourists will stop coming here.

BAD : My brother deeply believes in freedom of speech.

GOOD : My brother strongly believes in freedom of speech.

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firmly/strongly/fervently/sincerely/truly believe (NOT deeply ): 'I sincerely believe that he had no connection with the crime.'

Longman Common Errors English vocabulary.      Английский словарь распространенных ошибок Longman.