What Does “Believe sth of sb” Mean?
“Believe sth of sb” means to have an opinion or judgment about someone. It refers to what you think or feel about a person’s character or abilities.
Introduction
The phrase “Believe sth of sb” meaning is commonly used in English to express the opinion or belief someone holds about another person. It is often used when talking about trust, respect, or judgments based on behavior or reputation. For example, if you say, “I believe good things of her,” it means you think positively about her character. Understanding how to use this phrase correctly can help learners express their thoughts about others clearly and politely. This phrase is useful in both formal and informal conversations and is a great way to share opinions without sounding too direct or harsh.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Believe sth of sb (believe something of somebody)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To have an opinion about someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Believe sth of sb” is inseparable, meaning you cannot separate the words with other phrases. The structure is:
- Believe + something (sth) + of + somebody (sb)
Examples of patterns:
- She believes good things of him.
- Do you believe anything of that story?
How to Use “Believe sth of sb”?
Use this phrase when you want to talk about your opinion or belief about a person’s character, qualities, or behavior. It often appears in positive or neutral contexts but can also be used negatively.
It is polite and less direct than saying “I think he is dishonest.” Instead, you might say, “I do not believe good things of him.”
Examples
- I believe great things of her dedication to work.
- What do you believe of his honesty?
- She doesn’t believe much of his skills.
- We believe good things of our new teacher.
- He believes little of their promises.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I believe him good things.
Correct: I believe good things of him. - Incorrect: She believes of him good.
Correct: She believes good things of him. - Incorrect: Do you believe him anything?
Correct: Do you believe anything of him?
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include think of sb and have an opinion of sb. However, believe sth of sb focuses more on trust or judgment, often implying a stronger or more personal opinion.
For example, “think of him” can be neutral or general, but “believe good things of him” suggests a positive judgment or respect.
Common Collocations
- Believe good things of someone
- Believe bad things of someone
- Believe little of someone
- Believe much of someone
- Believe anything of someone
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of believe sth of sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Do you believe good things of Mark?
Ben: Yes, I do. He’s very honest and hardworking.
Anna: I’ve heard some negative things, but I don’t believe much of them.
Ben: Me neither. I believe good things of him based on my experience.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “believe sth of sb”:
- I don’t __________ (believe / good things / of / him) because he lied before.
- Do you __________ (believe / anything / of / that story)?
- She __________ (believe / great things / of / her team).
FAQs
- Q: Can “believe sth of sb” be used negatively?
A: Yes, you can believe bad or little things of someone. - Q: Is “believe sth of sb” common in spoken English?
A: It is more common in written or formal English but can be used in speech. - Q: Can I replace “sth” with any noun?
A: Yes, usually words like things, much, little, or anything. - Q: Does “believe sth of sb” express trust?
A: Often, yes, it shows your opinion about someone’s character or reliability.
