Am skeptical of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Am skeptical of" is not correct as it is missing a subject.
It should be "I am skeptical of" to be usable in written English. You can use it when expressing doubt or uncertainty about something or someone. Example: "I am skeptical of the claims made in the advertisement."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I am skeptical of the market".

The New York Times

This is why I am skeptical of the label.

The New York Times

I am skeptical of such ideas, for reasons I outlined here and here.

The Washington Post

I am skeptical of reports saying that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt was forced to resign.

The Washington Post

I am skeptical of his choice to do so for his body of work as well.

The New Yorker

"I can tell you I am skeptical of some of the things he has said," the judge said.

The New York Times

"It's a good thing and a blessed thing to forgive, but I am skeptical of any universal sentiment," he said.

The New York Times

I am skeptical of international unions that tie us up and bring America down and will never enter.

The New York Times

As I've noted before (see also here and here), I am skeptical of the argument for standing.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I am always skeptical of consensus.

Forbes

Am I skeptical?

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include a subject. "Am skeptical of" is incomplete. Use "I am skeptical of", "We are skeptical of", or another appropriate subject-verb combination.

Common error

Avoid using "am skeptical of" without a subject. This grammatical error makes the sentence incomplete and unclear. Always specify who is feeling the skepticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "am skeptical of" functions as a subjective expression of doubt or disbelief. However, it requires a subject to be grammatically correct. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically incorrect as it is missing a subject.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "am skeptical of" expresses doubt or uncertainty. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically incorrect without a subject. It is best to use it with a subject, like "I", "We", or "They". Better alternatives include "I doubt", "I am doubtful about", or "I question". This expression is generally suitable for neutral to formal contexts when used correctly. Always ensure grammatical correctness for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I doubt

Expresses uncertainty or disbelief, simpler phrasing.

I am doubtful about

Replaces "skeptical" with "doubtful", maintaining a similar level of formality.

I question

Implies a challenge or interrogation of the subject.

I have my doubts about

Highlights the speaker's internal reservations.

I am dubious of

Uses "dubious" instead of "skeptical", suggesting a stronger feeling of uncertainty.

I am unconvinced about

Emphasizes a lack of persuasion.

I am not convinced by

Focuses on the failure of something to persuade the speaker.

I am wary of

Suggests caution and distrust.

I am apprehensive about

Indicates anxiety or fear about a future event or situation.

I am suspicious of

Suggests a belief that something is wrong or dishonest.

FAQs

How to correctly use the phrase "am skeptical of" in a sentence?

The phrase "am skeptical of" requires a subject. The correct way to use it is by including a subject pronoun, such as "I", "We", "He", or "She", before "am". For instance, "I am skeptical of the new policy" is grammatically correct.

What's a more formal way to express "I am skeptical of"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "I doubt", "I have reservations about", or "I question".

Is it always necessary to include "I" before "am skeptical of"?

Yes, "am" is a form of the verb "to be" and requires a subject. Without a subject, the phrase is grammatically incomplete. You can also use other subjects like "he", "she", "it", or "they" with the appropriate form of "to be".

Are there situations where it's better to use "I doubt" over "I am skeptical of"?

While both convey uncertainty, "I doubt" is a simpler and more direct expression. Use "I doubt" when you want to express a general feeling of disbelief. "I am skeptical of" is better when you want to express a more considered or reasoned doubt.