he couldn't believe vs he couldn't believe it

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'He couldn't believe' is typically used when the following information or action is implied or understood without being explicitly stated. On the other hand, 'he couldn't believe it' is used when there is a specific event or situation that the person couldn't believe.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 3385 views

he couldn't believe

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when the following information or action is implied or understood without being explicitly stated.

This phrase is used when the context makes it clear what the person couldn't believe, even though it is not explicitly mentioned.

Show examples from the web [+]

The whole way to the hospital, he couldn't believe it was him who did it.
He couldn't believe what he'd just gone and done.
He couldn't believe how comfortable you were being naked around him.
He couldn't believe it hadn't happened already.
He couldn't believe the court case had gone against him, none of us could.
He couldn't believe, could absolutely not believe, that l had coloured musicians staying in this hotel.
When he heard about his new tenant, he called me right away 'cause he couldn't believe it.
Over and over, as if he couldn't believe it.
In Hee gave him everything, but I didn't, so he said he couldn't believe that he could marry this girl.
He couldn't believe I had the courage to walk away.
He couldn't believe I had the courage to walk away.
Bled out, looking up at me right in the eyes, almost like he couldn't believe it.

Alternatives:

he couldn't believe what he was hearing
he couldn't believe what he had done

he couldn't believe it

This phrase is also correct and commonly used in English when there is a specific event or situation that the person couldn't believe.

This phrase is used when there is a clear event or situation that the person couldn't believe, and 'it' refers to that specific thing.

Show examples from the web [+]

The whole way to the hospital, he couldn't believe it was him who did it.
When he heard about his new tenant, he called me right away 'cause he couldn't believe it.
Over and over, as if he couldn't believe it.
He couldn't believe it hadn't happened already.
Bled out, looking up at me right in the eyes, almost like he couldn't believe it.
He still couldn't believe it had really happened.
He couldn't believe I had the courage to walk away.
He couldn't believe I had the courage to walk away.
He couldn't believe what he'd just gone and done.
He couldn't believe how comfortable you were being naked around him.
He couldn't believe the court case had gone against him, none of us could.
He couldn't believe, could absolutely not believe, that l had coloured musicians staying in this hotel.
People couldn't believe it because it was so different.
I couldn't believe it, but he was there.
Couldn't believe it when I read about it.
Then I got here, and I couldn't believe it.
And that was three years ago... so... I actually couldn't believe it before you.
We couldn't believe it hadn't been turned into a musical.
When Stan called me, I couldn't believe it.
Even we couldn't believe it.

Alternatives:

he couldn't believe what had happened
he couldn't believe the news

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he couldn't believe vs he couldn't believe it