Question
Updated on
29 Jun 2019
- Portuguese (Brazil)
-
English (US)
-
Japanese
-
Spanish (Mexico)
Question about English (US)
What is the difference between "I think" and "I believe"?
I know the meaning of the verbs... I would like to know the difference in the context of the sentence. What am I intending to say with them? What will the other person understand about my opinion when I use one of them?
What is the difference between "I think" and "I believe"?
I know the meaning of the verbs... I would like to know the difference in the context of the sentence. What am I intending to say with them? What will the other person understand about my opinion when I use one of them?
I know the meaning of the verbs... I would like to know the difference in the context of the sentence. What am I intending to say with them? What will the other person understand about my opinion when I use one of them?
Answers
When you "disagree" with an answer
The owner of it will not be notified.
Only the user who asked this question will see who disagreed with this answer.
29 Jun 2019
Featured answer
- Arabic
- English (US)
“I believe” is more profound than “I think” whenever used in situations where they are interchangeable. It indicates a more entrenched concept or older understanding, and a higher level of certainty.
“I think it is ....” is less certain than “I believe it is ....”.
Sometimes using “I believe” might sound condescending, as if to ascertain your superiority of knowledge, specifically when correcting someone.
“I think you meant to say ....” is softer than “I believe you meant to say ....”
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
Obviously wrong
Explanation is not enough
Written in a language I can't understand
Answer is not related to the question
Other reason
Read more comments
- English (US)
- English (UK)
They are used interchangeably especially in persuasive essays 😂 “I believe” is a more formal way or say “I think.” I believe in..” is used when talking about personal values or religion. Keep up with the good work!
Was this answer helpful?
- Arabic
- English (US)
“I believe” is more profound than “I think” whenever used in situations where they are interchangeable. It indicates a more entrenched concept or older understanding, and a higher level of certainty.
“I think it is ....” is less certain than “I believe it is ....”.
Sometimes using “I believe” might sound condescending, as if to ascertain your superiority of knowledge, specifically when correcting someone.
“I think you meant to say ....” is softer than “I believe you meant to say ....”
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Portuguese (Brazil)
@Y_question_mark
So If I'm talking to a person that I don't know very well, that I don't have intimacy, is it better to say "I think" about things?
To avoid misunderstandings, I mean...
So If I'm talking to a person that I don't know very well, that I don't have intimacy, is it better to say "I think" about things?
To avoid misunderstandings, I mean...
- Arabic
- English (US)
@bluuh
Definitely.
If you meet a person for the first time, or someone you don’t know very very well, and even those if they don’t know you mean it well, it might sound that you are trying to show off if you use “I believe” when expressing an opinion, a thought, or stating a fact.
If I met someone for the first time (or even a friend for that matter) who uses “I believe” often, he’ll definitely end up with the nickname “Mr / Ms I believe”.
Highly-rated answerer
Was this answer helpful?
- Portuguese (Brazil)
[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
Sign up
Related questions
Similar questions
- What difference between ”on top of that” and ”what is more”? And How can I use those phrases? ...
- Could you please tell me what is the difference between 'broad agreement' and 'broad consensus'? ...
- What is the difference between replace and substitution? In Chinese both of them mean 替换.
Recommended Questions
- How do you say "2m x 1m" in English? ex. I would like to buy a small rectangle area rug 2m x 1m.
- What did the bride say at 0:05 -? "It's just xxxxx I guess" https://youtu.be/fKDbr483TKc?si=aI7s...
- 📍Do these have the same meaning and sound natural? The perception of how the word sounds like wo...
- (at an ESL class) "Please check your answers against your partner's ones." Hello! Do you thin...
- These revisions maintain the same meaning while providing a smoother flow to the sentences. Is t...
Topic Questions
- When someone asks you How are you?/How are you doing? Would it sound correct and natural to answe...
- Does the sentence below sound natural? If you are a native English speaker, could you please corr...
- Yesterday I got up at five o'clock, at first I just have some breakfast before going to wear my c...
- What's the meaning of this sentence? When we're playing the game of life at Tsutsukakushi Househ...
- If i want to know somebody's height, can i ask " How high is he? "
Newest Questions
- What did he say? https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3-Q_hHoIRj/?igsh=MXVxdm82NTdkNm9jOQ==
- Is there any application or a way that I can change an English text to its native version?
- "I will finish my homework Sunday morning." "I will finish my homework on Sunday morning." ...
- When someone asks you How are you?/How are you doing? Would it sound correct and natural to answe...
- Is this natural? I baked a pizza, but I made a mistake... the dough turned out too salty. I thou...
Previous question/ Next question
What’s this symbol?
The Language Level symbol shows a user's proficiency in the languages they're interested in. Setting your Language Level helps other users provide you with answers that aren't too complex or too simple.
-
Beginner
Has difficulty understanding even short answers in this language.
-
Beginner-Intermediate
Can ask simple questions and can understand simple answers.
-
Intermediate
Can ask all types of general questions and can understand longer answers.
-
Advanced
Can understand long, complex answers.
Sign up for premium, and you can play other user's audio/video answers.
What are gifts?
Show your appreciation in a way that likes and stamps can't.
By sending a gift to someone, they will be more likely to answer your questions again!
If you post a question after sending a gift to someone, your question will be displayed in a special section on that person’s feed.
Tired of searching? HiNative can help you find that answer you're looking for.
Thank you! Rest assured your feedback will not be shown to other users.
Thank you very much! Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
