BELIEVE IN
1. When you believe in something or somebody you are sure that something or somebody exists.
Examples of use:
- Do you believe in God?
- I didn't believe in ghosts until I stayed in an old castle in Romania: now I'm certain they exist.
- My children still believe in fairies.
2. To believe in something is to have a strong belief that something is good or right.
Examples of use:
- My grandparents believed in working hard and helping others.
- They do not believe in the death penalty.
- We believe in discipline for our children, but we don't believe in hitting them.
- 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:
- We still believe in you.
- I want to believe in you, but you lied to me about everything.
- Don't worry about your exams. We believe in you and we know you will do well.
- 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 |