What is believe? Pronunciation and usage in English

believe means . Learn how to pronounce and use believe through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of believe

believeverb

/bɪˈliːv/
Definition & pronunciation of believe

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "believe" in English. Here's a breakdown with audio resources to help:

1. Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

  • /bɪˈliːv/

Let's break this down syllable by syllable:

  • bɪ - sounds like "bi" – similar to the "bi" in "bit"
  • ˈliːv - This is the tricky part!
    • li - sounds like "lee" (like the letter L)
    • v - Sounds like "v"

2. How to Say it Step-by-Step:

  1. Start with a "b" sound: Make the sound "b" as in "ball."
  2. Add "bi": Say "bi" as in "bit."
  3. Raise your tongue slightly: This is the key to the "ee" sound. Round your lips slightly as if you were going to whistle.
  4. Say "lee": Pronounce the “lee” sound -- like the letter L in “lemon.” It’s a short, clear sound.
  5. Say “v”: Finish with a clear "v" sound

Putting it together: "Bi-LEEV" (with the emphasis on the second syllable)

3. Audio Resources (These are highly recommended):

Common Mistakes and Tips:

  • Don’t say "be-lieve": The "be" part is silent.
  • Avoid a long "ee" sound: The "ee" in "believe" is a single, short syllable sound.
  • Focus on rounding your lips: This is what creates the distinctive "ee" vowel.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What accent are you trying to emulate? (e.g., American, British, Australian?)

Usage and examples with the word believe in English

Let's break down how to use the word "believe" in English. It's a very common and versatile word, but it can have slightly different nuances depending on how you use it.

1. Basic Definition: To accept something as true.

  • Simple Statement of Belief: This is the most straightforward use.
    • "I believe it will rain tomorrow." (You accept the possibility of rain.)
    • "She believes in ghosts." (She has a conviction that ghosts exist.)
    • "Do you believe me?" (Are you accepting what I'm saying?)

2. Verb Forms & Usage:

  • Base Form (believe): As shown above, used for general acceptance of something.
  • Present Participle (believing): Used as a verb describing the process of having a belief or the act of trusting.
    • "I am believing in your abilities." (I'm trusting in your abilities, I’m developing a belief in them.)
    • "He was constantly believing rumors." (He was always accepting rumors as true.)
  • Past Simple (believed): Describes a past belief.
    • "I believed you when you said you were tired." (At that time, I accepted your statement.)
    • "She believed in love at first sight." (She held the belief that love could happen instantly.)
  • Past Participle (believed): Used in perfect tenses and with auxiliary verbs (has, have, had).
    • "I have believed in you for a long time." (I've consistently held this belief.)
    • "They had believed the news before it was confirmed." (They accepted the news before it was verified.)

3. Phrases with "Believe":

  • Believe it or not: Used to introduce something surprising or unbelievable.
    • "Believe it or not, I’ve never been to the beach!"
  • Believe me: Used to emphasize that you're being truthful.
    • "Believe me, this is a really difficult problem."
  • Believe in: To have faith in someone or something.
    • "I believe in hard work."
    • "She believes in the power of positive thinking."
  • Believe that... : Used to state a specific belief.
    • "I believe that everyone deserves a chance."

4. “Believe” as a Noun (Less Common, but important):

  • Belief: The state of believing; a conviction.
    • "He has a strong belief in justice." (A firm conviction.)
    • "Her beliefs are rooted in her childhood." (Her convictions are based on her upbringing.)

5. Nuances and Related Words:

  • Trust: Similar to believe, but often implies reliance on someone's character or reliability. “I trust him implicitly.”
  • Assume: To suppose something is true without proof. "I assume he’ll be late." (This is different than believing something - it's a supposition.)
  • Hope: Expressing a desire or expectation. “I hope it doesn’t rain.” (This isn’t the same as believing it will rain.)

Here's a table summarizing the usage:

Form of "Believe" Meaning Example
Believe To accept as true I believe in you.
Believing The process of believing I am believing in your potential.
Believed Past tense of believe I believed him yesterday.
Believed Past participle (perfect tenses) I have believed in you for years.
Belief The state of believing Her belief in Santa Claus was strong.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you interested in using "believe" in? (e.g., writing a story, discussing your opinions, talking about a specific topic?)

Synonyms for the word believe

Idioms of the word believe

believe it or not
(informal)used to introduce information that is true but that may surprise people
  • Believe it or not, he asked me to marry him!
believe (you) me
(informal)used to emphasize that you strongly believe what you are saying
  • You haven't heard the last of this, believe you me!
don’t you believe it!
(informal)used to tell somebody that something is definitely not true
  • ‘She wouldn’t do a thing like that.’ ‘Don’t you believe it!’
give somebody to believe/understand (that)…
(formal)to make somebody believe/understand something
  • I was given to understand that she had resigned.
I don’t believe it!
(informal)used to say that you are surprised or annoyed about something
  • I don't believe it! What are you doing here?
if you believe that, you’ll believe anything
(informal)used to say that you think somebody is stupid if they believe that something is true
  • ‘He promised not to do it again.’ ‘Sure, and if you believe that, you’ll believe anything.’
make believe (that…)
to pretend that something is true
    not believe your ears/eyes
    (informal)to be very surprised at something you hear/see
    • I couldn't believe my eyes when she walked in.
    seeing is believing
    (saying)used to say that somebody will have to believe that something is true when they see it, although they do not think it is true now
      would you believe (it)?
      (informal)used to show that you are surprised and annoyed about something
      • And, would you believe, he didn't even apologize!
      you/you’d better believe it!
      (informal)used to tell somebody that something is definitely true
      • ‘He’s not a bad player, is he?’ ‘You’d better believe it!’

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