I doubted that

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "I doubted that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express uncertainty or disbelief about something. Example: After hearing the news, I doubted that it was true.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

I said I doubted that was true.

The New York Times - Magazine

I doubted that; he seemed older, somehow.

The New Yorker

I told him I doubted that would be a problem.

The New York Times

If there was ever a moment when I doubted that would be the case, then we would have made some changes.

The New York Times - Sports

But I doubted that was causing of the outrage.

Huffington Post

I said I doubted that very much.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

I doubt that very much.

The New York Times

I doubt that will change".

The New York Times

I doubt that would happen.

The New Yorker

"Well, I doubt that".

The Guardian

Rust: "I doubt that".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I doubted that" to express a polite disagreement or skepticism without being confrontational. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings.

Common error

While expressing doubt is valid, avoid overuse in argumentative pieces. Instead, provide specific evidence or reasoning to support your skepticism for a stronger argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I doubted that" functions as an independent clause expressing the speaker's skepticism or disbelief regarding a previous statement or situation. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I doubted that" is a versatile phrase used to express skepticism or disbelief, suitable for both formal and informal communication. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While common across various sources, it appears most frequently in news and media. When writing, use it to politely express disagreement or uncertainty, but avoid overuse in argumentative writing; instead, support your skepticism with evidence. Consider alternatives such as "I questioned that" or "I wasn't convinced of that" to add nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I questioned that

Emphasizes the act of questioning the validity or truth of something.

I was skeptical of that

Highlights a general feeling of doubt or disbelief.

I found that hard to believe

Indicates difficulty in accepting something as true.

I wasn't convinced of that

Focuses on a lack of persuasion or certainty.

I took that with a grain of salt

Suggests caution in accepting something at face value.

I had my reservations about that

Implies underlying doubts or hesitations.

I wasn't sure about that

Expresses uncertainty or a lack of confidence.

I couldn't be sure of that

Highlights an inability to confirm or verify something.

I challenged that

Expresses a direct confrontation or questioning of a statement.

I disbelieved that

Emphasizes a strong feeling of disbelief.

FAQs

How can I use "I doubted that" in a sentence?

Use "I doubted that" to express uncertainty or disbelief about a previous statement or situation. For example: "He said he could finish the project in a day; I doubted that."

What are some alternatives to "I doubted that"?

You can use alternatives like "I questioned that", "I was skeptical of that", or "I wasn't convinced of that" depending on the context.

Is "I doubted that" formal or informal?

"I doubted that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase to express skepticism.

What's the difference between "I doubted that" and "I didn't believe that"?

"I doubted that" implies a degree of uncertainty or skepticism, while "I didn't believe that" suggests a stronger conviction of disbelief. "I doubted that" can be a more polite way to express disagreement.