There is reason to believe
Hedging expression to soften claims
Use this phrase to sound professional and careful when sharing an evidence-based opinion.
In 15 Sekunden
- A polite way to suggest something is likely true.
- Softens claims to avoid sounding too aggressive or certain.
- Common in business, news, and serious discussions.
Bedeutung
This phrase is a polite way to say you think something is true without sounding 100% certain. It helps you share an opinion or a fact while leaving a little room for error.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6In a business meeting
There is reason to believe that our sales will double next quarter.
There is reason to believe that our sales will double next quarter.
Discussing a friend's relationship
There is reason to believe they might get engaged soon.
There is reason to believe they might get engaged soon.
A police report or news clip
There is reason to believe the suspect has left the city.
There is reason to believe the suspect has left the city.
Kultureller Hintergrund
This expression is rooted in the Western legal and scientific tradition of 'burden of proof.' It became popular in the 20th century as a way for journalists and officials to report news without facing lawsuits for defamation. It reflects a cultural preference for appearing objective rather than emotional.
The 'That' is Optional
In casual speech, you can drop the `that`. For example: `There is reason to believe he's lying.` It sounds slightly more natural.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this in every sentence, you will sound like a robot or someone who is afraid to commit to any opinion.
In 15 Sekunden
- A polite way to suggest something is likely true.
- Softens claims to avoid sounding too aggressive or certain.
- Common in business, news, and serious discussions.
What It Means
There is reason to believe is a classic 'hedging' phrase. It acts like a soft cushion for your statements. Instead of saying 'This is a fact,' you are saying 'I have evidence that points this way.' It sounds thoughtful and objective. You aren't just guessing; you have a logical basis for your thought. It’s the difference between being a loud know-it-all and a careful observer.
How To Use It
Place this phrase at the start of your sentence to set the tone. Follow it with the word that to introduce your main point. For example: There is reason to believe that the cat ate the tuna. You can also use it to respond to a question. If someone asks if the party will be fun, you can say, 'There is reason to believe it will be!' It makes you sound like a sophisticated detective in a movie. Just don't use it for things that are obvious, like There is reason to believe the sun is hot.
When To Use It
Use this in professional settings when you want to sound credible. It’s perfect for business meetings or writing reports. Use it when you want to avoid blame if you happen to be wrong later. It’s also great for polite debates with friends over dinner. If you're discussing who will win the championship, this phrase adds weight to your argument. It shows you've actually thought about the topic.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase in high-energy, casual moments. Don't use it while shouting at a football game. Your friends will think you've swallowed a dictionary. Also, avoid it in emergencies. If the house is on fire, don't say, 'There is reason to believe we should leave.' Just yell 'Fire!' Finally, don't use it if you are 100% certain and need to be direct. It can sometimes sound like you are hiding the truth behind fancy words.
Cultural Background
English speakers, especially in the UK and US, value 'understatement.' We often avoid being too aggressive with our claims. This phrase comes from a tradition of academic and legal caution. It reflects a culture that respects evidence and logical reasoning. It’s a 'safe' phrase that keeps doors open for further discussion. It’s the linguistic equivalent of wearing a suit to a business-casual lunch.
Common Variations
We have reason to believe(more personal or collective)There is every reason to believe(stronger confidence)One might believe(even more formal and distant)It stands to reason(means it is logical)There’s a good chance(the casual, everyday cousin)
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase sits firmly in the formal and professional register. It is a 'shield' phrase—it protects the speaker from being proven wrong by emphasizing that they are only following the current 'reasoning' or evidence available.
The 'That' is Optional
In casual speech, you can drop the `that`. For example: `There is reason to believe he's lying.` It sounds slightly more natural.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this in every sentence, you will sound like a robot or someone who is afraid to commit to any opinion.
The 'British' Softener
British speakers love this phrase because it avoids 'directness,' which can sometimes be seen as rude in UK culture.
Beispiele
6There is reason to believe that our sales will double next quarter.
There is reason to believe that our sales will double next quarter.
Shows optimistic data without making an absolute guarantee.
There is reason to believe they might get engaged soon.
There is reason to believe they might get engaged soon.
Used to share gossip in a slightly more 'official' sounding way.
There is reason to believe the suspect has left the city.
There is reason to believe the suspect has left the city.
Very standard for law enforcement or journalism.
There is reason to believe the delivery guy is lost again.
There is reason to believe the delivery guy is lost again.
Using a formal phrase for a silly situation adds humor.
There is reason to believe we aren't communicating well lately.
There is reason to believe we aren't communicating well lately.
Softens a difficult truth to make it less confrontational.
There is reason to believe the hero didn't actually die.
There is reason to believe the hero didn't actually die.
Used to introduce a theory based on clues in the film.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best word to complete the phrase for a professional report.
There is ___ to believe that the project will be successful.
The standard idiom is `reason to believe`. While 'cause' is similar, it isn't used in this specific expression.
Select the word that usually follows the phrase.
There is reason to believe ___ the market is shifting.
The conjunction `that` is almost always used to connect this phrase to the clause that follows.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Level of 'There is reason to believe'
I think...
I think he's late.
It looks like...
It looks like he's late.
There is reason to believe...
There is reason to believe he is late.
When to use 'There is reason to believe'
Business Report
Predicting trends
Academic Writing
Hypothesizing
Polite Disagreement
Correcting someone
Sarcastic Humor
Stating the obvious
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot exclusively, but it is much more common in writing or formal speeches. In casual talk, people usually say I think or It seems like.
In this context, reason means 'evidence' or 'logical grounds.' It implies you aren't just guessing; you have a basis for your thought.
Yes! Using I have makes it more personal and assertive. There is sounds more objective and detached.
Not quite. I believe is about your personal faith or opinion. There is reason to believe suggests that the facts themselves point to a conclusion.
You can add the word 'every' to the phrase. Saying There is every reason to believe means you are very confident.
Yes, you can say There is little reason to believe... if you think something is unlikely to be true.
It is a bit traditional, but it is still very common in modern news, law, and corporate environments. It doesn't sound 'old,' just professional.
Absolutely. It’s a great way to present a theory or a concern without sounding like you are jumping to conclusions.
People sometimes say There is reason to believing. This is wrong; you must always use the infinitive to believe.
Yes, you can say There is reason to suspect or There is reason to fear. These change the mood but keep the same structure.
Verwandte Redewendungen
It appears that
Used to describe how a situation looks based on current evidence.
Evidence suggests
A more scientific way to say facts point to a certain conclusion.
All signs point to
An idiomatic way to say everything indicates one specific outcome.
In all likelihood
A formal way of saying 'probably'.
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