act of faith
C1Formal, religious, literary, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
An action performed without certainty of success or safety, based on trust, belief, or religious conviction.
A decision or action taken despite risk or doubt, trusting that a positive outcome will follow, often with emotional or spiritual significance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a conscious choice to proceed despite a lack of empirical evidence, often involving risk, hope, or trust. Its strength depends on context: it can denote profound religious commitment or be used more casually for a significant but uncertain personal decision.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical or syntactic differences. The concept is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly stronger association with formal religious contexts in the UK; in the US, also widely used in secular, business, and self-help contexts ('a leap of faith').
Frequency
Comparable frequency, though the secular metaphorical use may be slightly more prevalent in American media and business discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] performed an act of faith by [gerund phrase]It was an act of faith in [noun phrase]To [infinitive phrase] would be an act of faith.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “take a leap of faith”
- “a step in the dark”
- “trusting to providence”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Investing in the untested start-up was seen as an act of faith by the board.
Academic
The historian described the pilgrim's journey as a profound cultural act of faith.
Everyday
Letting your teenager borrow the car for the first time is a real act of faith.
Technical
In theology, a sacramental ritual is interpreted as an efficacious act of faith.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- To fund this research is to act on faith.
- They faith-acted their way through the crisis. (rare, informal)
American English
- We had to just act in faith and sign the contract.
- She acts out of faith, not fear.
adverb
British English
- He proceeded faith-fully, despite the doubts. (Note: 'faithfully' is standard, but hyphenated for emphasis here)
- They acted, faith notwithstanding.
American English
- They invested faith-first in the new venture.
- She stepped forward, full of faith.
adjective
British English
- It was a faith-based decision. (more common)
- His faith-act move surprised everyone. (informal)
American English
- They made a faith-driven investment.
- It was a pure faith initiative.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- For her, saying a prayer is an act of faith.
- Buying a house is often an act of faith in the future.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of ACT = Action, FAITH = Belief/Trust. An 'Act of Faith' is an ACTION taken on the basis of BELIEF, not proof.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAITH IS A JOURNEY / A LEAP (taking a step without seeing the ground).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'акт веры' for everyday uncertain decisions; it sounds overly formal/religious. Use 'рискованный шаг' (risky step) or 'действие на доверии' instead.
- Do not confuse with 'вероисповедание' (creed/denomination).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'act of fate' (incorrect homophone confusion).
- Using it for trivial uncertainties ('Choosing a sandwich was an act of faith').
- Incorrect preposition: 'act of faith *on* something' (correct: 'act of faith IN something').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'act of faith' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it originates from and is common in religious contexts, it is widely used metaphorically in secular situations to describe any significant action taken on trust rather than certainty.
They are largely synonymous. 'Leap of faith' is more idiomatic and often implies a bolder, more sudden, and decisive action. 'Act of faith' can be a more sustained or ritualized action.
The primary preposition is 'in' (an act of faith in God/humanity/the future). 'By' is used to introduce the action itself (an act of faith by donating the money).
Typically no. It carries a neutral to positive connotation of trust and courage. A foolish, reckless action based on no trust would not be called an 'act of faith'.