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Old 03-13-2011, 02:02 PM   #28
Softhearted
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Sometimes when it comes to words and their meaning, I go back to the source, which in my case is the dictionary.

The verb to believe can either be taken in its transitive form or intransitive form. For example:

He believes in ghosts. (intransitive verb)

Many people seem to believe that theory, but he finds it hard/difficult to believe. (transitive verb)

They have very different meanings according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

I quote:

"intransitive verb 1 a: to have a firm religious faith b: to accept as true, genuine, or real <ideals we ∼ in> <∼s in ghosts>
2: to have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something <∼ in exercise>
3: to hold an opinion : think <I ∼ so>

transitive verb 1 a: to consider to be true or honest <∼ the reports> <you wouldn't ∼ how long it took> b: to accept the word or evidence of <I ∼ you> <couldn't ∼ my ears>
2: to hold as an opinion : suppose <I ∼ it will rain soon>
— be·liev·er noun
— not believe to be astounded at <I couldn't believe my luck>"
http://www.britannica.com/bps/dictionary?query=believe

"True1 a: steadfast, loyal b: honest, just c: archaic: truthful
2 a (1): being in accordance with the actual state of affairs <∼ description>
(2): conformable to an essential reality
(3): fully realized or fulfilled <dreams come ∼> b: ideal, essential c: being that which is the case rather than what is manifest or assumed <the ∼ dimension of the problem> d: consistent <∼ to character>
3 a: properly so called <∼ love> <the ∼ faith> <the ∼ stomach of ruminant mammals> b (1): possessing the basic characters of and belonging to the same natural group as <a whale is a ∼ but not a typical mammal>
(2): typical <the ∼ cats>
4: legitimate, rightful <our ∼ and lawful king>
5 a: that is fitted or formed or that functions accurately b: conformable to a standard or pattern : accurate
6: determined with reference to the earth's axis rather than the magnetic poles <∼ north>
7: logically necessary
8: narrow, strict <in the truest sense>
9: corrected for error
— true·ness noun"
http://www.britannica.com/bps/dictionary?query=true

Just my .02 cents...
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