Believes vs Beliefs
What’s the difference between them?
Believes
Meaning:
Believes: to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.
Examples:
1. She believes that money isn't everything.
2. He believes that his dreams will come true one day.
3. I believe that education is the key to success.
Beliefs
Meaning:
A belief is an idea, thought, or opinion that someone holds to be true.
Examples:
1. My religious beliefs are very important to me.
2. His beliefs were so strong that he was willing to fight for them.
3. I don't know much about her beliefs, but from what I understand she is spiritual.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Believes
1. Assumes
2. Accepts
3. Endorses
4. Holds to be true
5. Has faith in
1. Doubts
2. Disbelieves
3. Rejects
4. Unaccepts
5. Distrusts
Beliefs
1. Convictions
2. Opinions
3. Perspectives
4. Notions
5. Ideology
1. Doubts
2. Disbelief
3. Distrust
4. Unconviction
5. Rejecting principles
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Believes", "Beliefs".
1. If you're talking about what an individual thinks or trusts, use 'believes.'
2. The 's' in 'believes' can be associated with a singular person's perspective. If you see 's, think of it as an indication of someone's belief.
3. If you're referring to ideas, thoughts, or opinions in a general sense, use 'beliefs.' Think of the 'ie' as signifying more than one belief.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word 'Believes' be used?
The word 'believes' is used when someone holds a particular opinion or conviction about something. For example, 'He believes that the world is round.' It can also be used to express that someone has faith in something. For instance, 'She believes in the power of prayer.'
When is the appropriate context for using the second word 'Beliefs'?
The word 'beliefs' is typically used when talking about a set of religious, moral, or philosophical convictions that a person holds. For example, 'His beliefs are rooted in the teachings of his faith.' It can also refer to a form of trust or confidence, such as 'His beliefs in her loyalty were well-founded.'
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. The word 'believes' is pronounced as /bɪˈliːvz/, while beliefs is pronounced as /bɪˈliːfs/
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake people make when using the words 'believes' and 'beliefs' is using the wrong one in a sentence. For example, someone might say 'He believes in the power of prayer' when they should be saying 'He holds the belief in the power of prayer.' Another mistake is confusing the pronunciation of the words, such as saying 'belief' instead of 'believes.'
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. He has some very strong _________ about the way the world works.
2. She is a person of deep ___________ and convictions.
3. He always __________ in the power of positive thinking.
4. Im learning to understand the __________ of others.
5. She __________ that everyone should have the same rights and opportunities.
6. We need to respect each others ___________ and points of view.
1. He has some very strong BELIEFS about the way the world works.
Explanation: Beliefs is the correct word to fill the gap here because it refers to the strong opinions or principles that the person holds about the way the world works.
2. She is a person of deep BELIEFS and convictions.
Explanation: Beliefs is the correct word to fill the gap here because it refers to the strong opinions or principles that the person holds and the convictions that they have.
3. He always BELIEVES in the power of positive thinking.
Explanation: Believes is the correct word to fill the gap here because it refers to the action of having faith in something and the idea of positive thinking.
4. Im learning to understand the BELIEFS of others.
Explanation: Beliefs is the correct word to fill the gap here because it refers to the strong opinions or principles that other people hold and the need to understand them.
5. She BELIEVES that everyone should have the same rights and opportunities.
Explanation: Believes is the correct word to fill the gap here because it refers to the action of having faith in something and the belief that everyone should have the same rights and opportunities.
6. We need to respect each others BELIEFS and points of view.
Explanation: Beliefs is the correct word to fill the gap here because it refers to the strong opinions or principles that people hold and the need to respect them.
Get a gift by subscribing to our newsletter!
Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.