believe in ghosts

Meaning

This phrase means to accept or have faith that the spirits of dead people can exist and appear to the living. It is used in casual conversations, often when sharing scary stories or discussing supernatural beliefs.

Examples

• Do you believe in ghosts, or do you think there's always a logical explanation?

  Do you believe in ghosts, or do you think there's always a logical explanation?

• I didn't believe in ghosts until I stayed in that old, creaky hotel.

  I didn't believe in ghosts until I stayed in that old, creaky hotel.

• My little brother claims he doesn't believe in ghosts, but he won't go into the basement alone.

  My little brother claims he doesn't believe in ghosts, but he won't go into the basement alone.

• Many cultures have traditional stories that encourage people to believe in ghosts.

  Many cultures have traditional stories that encourage people to believe in ghosts.

• She loves watching horror movies even though she doesn't believe in ghosts.

  She loves watching horror movies even though she doesn't believe in ghosts.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Do you believe ghosts?

  ✓ Do you believe in ghosts?

  To 'believe in' something means to believe that it exists. To 'believe' someone means to accept that what they are saying is true.

• ✗ I don't believe on ghosts.

  ✓ I don't believe in ghosts.

  The correct preposition to use with 'believe' when talking about existence is 'in', not 'on' or 'at'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After hearing that strange noise in the attic, I started to ___.

  💡 Accept that spirits of the dead exist.

  Show answer

  believe in ghosts

• Most scientists do not ___ because there is no physical proof.

  💡 Have faith in supernatural spirits.

  Show answer

  believe in ghosts