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1. When you believe in something or somebody you are sure that something or somebody exists. (Never used in continuous tenses)
Examples of use:
a) Do you believe in God?
b) I didn't believe in ghosts until I stayed in an old castle in Bavaria: now I'm certain they exist.
c) My children still believe in fairies.
d) When did you stop believing in Father Christmas?
2. To believe in something is to have a strong belief that something is good or right.
a) My grandparents believed in working hard and helping others.
b) They do not believe in the death penalty.
c) We believe in discipline for our children, but we don't believe in hitting them.
d) We don't believe in living together before marriage.
3. When you believe in somebody, you have confidence that they are a good trustworthy person, or that they can do something well.
Examples of use:
a) We still believe in you.
b) I want to believe in you, but you lied to me about everything.
c) Don't worry about your exams. We believe in you and we know you will do well.
d) You can get through these problems. I believe in you.
| infinitive |
believe in |
| present simple |
believe in and believes in |
| -ing form |
believing in |
| past simple |
believed in |
| past participle |
believed in |
Can you use this phrasal verb in a sentence?
Do you believe in ghosts?
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About Angela Boothroyd
