I highly doubt that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'I highly doubt that' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing disbelief at something that someone has said. For example: Person 1: "I think I can finish this project in one day." Person 2: "I highly doubt that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I highly doubt that.

Vice

"I highly doubt that," Nunes said.

The New Yorker

I highly doubt that Hughes wanted this debacle.

The New Yorker

"I highly doubt that the natural green would be bad".

The Guardian

"I highly doubt that there are worse detention facilities in Norway," Mr. Breivik wrote.

The New York Times

I highly doubt that: Switzerland needs the EU, but it cannot influence the political process within the EU.

The Guardian

I highly doubt that I could have repeated those three notes, but I might have been able to fake it.

The New Yorker

"I highly doubt that bees can tell the difference," Dr. Forsyth said, adding, "If bees did that, I'd fall off my chair".

The New York Times - Science

"But like his medical plan, I highly doubt that what comes out the other end is going to be what went in.

The New York Times

Extra point Walt Bennett, a regular Fifth Down commenter and Jets fan, differed: "I highly doubt that Rex cares more about rushing attempts than rushing yards.

The New York Times

"I haven't asked Pu Zhiqiang but I highly doubt that he suspected those tweets were going to land him in trouble in the first place".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While suitable for most situations, more formal settings may require a less direct expression of disbelief.

Common error

Avoid using "I highly doubt that" repeatedly in a short span. Vary your expressions of skepticism to maintain reader engagement. Consider using alternatives like "I'm skeptical of that" or "That seems unlikely"/s/that+seems+unlikely to prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

I highly doubt that functions as a declarative statement expressing strong skepticism or disbelief. It typically follows a statement or claim that the speaker finds questionable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, used to express disbelief at something that someone has said.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

13%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I highly doubt that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for conveying strong skepticism or disbelief. It's prevalent in news and media as well as academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in expressing disagreement. When writing, remember that overuse could diminish the impact, and more formal settings might call for a more tempered expression of doubt. Using a variety of terms can also improve the flow and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I strongly doubt that

Emphasizes the strength of the doubt.

I seriously question that

Highlights a questioning attitude toward the statement.

I find that hard to believe

Expresses difficulty in accepting the statement as true.

I'm skeptical of that

Indicates a degree of skepticism or mistrust.

That seems unlikely to me

Conveys that something appears improbable.

I have my doubts about that

Expresses uncertainty and reservation.

I'm not convinced of that

Shows a lack of belief or persuasion.

I'm inclined to disagree

Indicates a tendency to hold a different opinion.

I beg to differ

A polite way of expressing disagreement.

That's highly improbable

Focuses on the low probability of the statement being true.

FAQs

How can I use "I highly doubt that" in a sentence?

Use "I highly doubt that" to express strong disbelief or skepticism about a statement. For example, "He claims he can run a marathon in under three hours, but "I highly doubt that"."

What's a less direct alternative to "I highly doubt that"?

If you want to be less direct, you could use phrases like "I'm skeptical of that" or "I find that hard to believe" to convey doubt without being as confrontational.

When is it inappropriate to use "I highly doubt that"?

Using "I highly doubt that" might be inappropriate in very formal settings or when speaking to someone in a position of authority where a more deferential tone is expected. A softer approach might be better in such cases.

Is there a difference between "I doubt that" and "I highly doubt that"?

While both express disbelief, ""I highly doubt that"" intensifies the level of skepticism. "I doubt that" simply indicates uncertainty, while "I highly doubt that" suggests a stronger conviction that something is untrue or unlikely.