"I don't believe such thing to exist." Is this sentence wrong?

Share on Facebook

Viceidol

#513426 Wed, 14 May 08 06:25 AM

I don't believe such thing to exist.

This sentence comes from my dictionary, but I found it kind of weird. I've ask other people they say that it should be "I don't believe such a thing exists." May I ask is it true that the above sentence is wrong/a bad sentence?

I believe him to have passed the exam.

This one comes from my another dictionary. I'm still doubtful about its correctness. If this is correct, then can I say "I believe him to pass the exam."? (That's the same structure as the above one)

Please give me your opinion, thank you!!

Viceidol

Joined on Wed, Jul 11 2007

Taiwan

Regular Member (505)

Creativeguru

#513428 Wed, 14 May 08 06:33 AM

I don't believe such thing to exist.>>> 'to exist' at the end of sentence does not sounds good,

It should be.....

I don't believe that such things exist

I believe him to have passed the exam.>>In this sentence lots of complication

we can write in simple way

I believe he had passed the exam.

Creativeguru

Joined on Fri, Feb 8 2008

India

Regular Member (703)

CalifJim

#513439 Wed, 14 May 08 07:50 AM

Viceidol
I don't believe such thing to exist.
This sentence comes from my dictionary, but I found it kind of weird.

Yup. It's weird. And wrong. It should be I don't believe such things exist or I don't believe such a thing exists.

Viceidol
I believe him to have passed the exam.

This one comes from my another dictionary. I'm still doubtful about its correctness.

It's fine.

Viceidol
If this is correct, then can I say "I believe him to pass the exam."?

Nope.

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (15,999)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Avangi

#513445 Wed, 14 May 08 08:07 AM

I don't believe such thing to exist.

It is uncommon, but it's really not all that different from "I don't want this thing to exist." (different verb, different adjective) You can even let both these adjectives act as pronouns, and omit the "thing." "I don't want this to exist." "I don't want such to exist."

I believe him to have passed the exam. I want / expect him to have passed the exam. (i.e., no problem)

I believe him to pass the exam. This is a logical problem. You can't believe something that hasn't happened yet. I want / expect him to pass the exam.

- A.