I started doubting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started doubting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a shift in your confidence or belief about something, indicating that you began to have doubts. Example: "At first, I was confident in my decision, but as time went on, I started doubting my choice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I started doubting every memory.

The New York Times

"I started doubting a little bit," Clijsters said.

The New York Times - Sports

My only problem was that after a while I started doubting Aunt Galya's expertise.

The New Yorker

"There was a definite moment when I started doubting it," she said.

The Guardian - Sport

"I started doubting the conviction I had spent months formulating," she said.

The New York Times

I started doubting for a moment because for two seconds none of my team-mates were close and I started thinking: 'Oh my goodness, maybe it wasn't.' But I turned round and saw the referee and the linesman running back into position and just started screaming.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

When I start doubting my ability to run 100 miles.

Huffington Post

"When you're losing and another team has a run, you start doubting yourself, and I think they started doubting themselves," Boston's Kenny Anderson said.

The New York Times - Sports

When everyone else was supporting me, I was sitting there terrified that I might disappoint everyone and started doubting and bullying myself.

Huffington Post

Maybe that's why people started doubting.

The Guardian - Sport

Every time I'd start doubting myself, I'd sell something or get an award for enough money to cover my studio expenses".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine this phrase with specific details about what triggered your doubt. This adds credibility to your statement and provides valuable context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "I started doubting" when you actually mean you began to disbelieve. Doubting implies uncertainty, while disbelieving suggests a firm rejection of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started doubting" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the commencement of a mental process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and serves to express a change in one's level of conviction or certainty. The examples show it being used in a variety of narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I started doubting" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express the onset of uncertainty, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in "news & media", it's also used in "formal & business" and "science" contexts. Alternative phrases like "I began to doubt" or "I started to question" offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with a genuine shift from certainty to uncertainty. Avoid mistaking it for disbelief, which indicates a stronger rejection. Overall, "I started doubting" is a reliable tool for narrating changes in perspective and conviction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began to doubt

Emphasises the commencement of doubt, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly more formal tone.

I started to question

Focuses on the initiation of questioning, indicating a similar but more active form of doubt.

I began questioning

Highlights the beginning of an active inquiry, suggesting a process of examining beliefs.

I started second-guessing

Implies re-evaluating decisions or judgments already made, adding a layer of self-reflection.

I began having doubts

Highlights the emergence of multiple uncertainties or reservations.

I started feeling doubtful

Emphasises the emotional aspect of experiencing doubt, highlighting a shift in feelings.

I started losing faith in

Suggests a decline in trust or confidence, indicating a stronger form of doubt.

I began to waver

Focuses on a loss of resolve or firmness, indicating a shift in certainty.

My confidence began to wane

Highlights the gradual decrease in self-assurance, indicating an erosion of belief.

I started to wonder about

Suggests curiosity tinged with uncertainty, implying an exploratory form of doubt.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "I started doubting" in a sentence?

Use "I started doubting" to signal a shift from certainty to uncertainty. For example, "Initially, I trusted his judgment, but as the evidence mounted, "I started doubting" his motives."

What are some alternatives to "I started doubting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I began to question", "I started to wonder", or "I began having reservations".

Is it better to say "I started doubting" or "I began to doubt"?

Both "I started doubting" and "I began to doubt" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "I started doubting" is slightly more informal, while "I began to doubt" is a bit more formal.

What's the difference between "I started doubting" and "I doubted"?

"I doubted" implies a state of doubt, while "I started doubting" indicates the initiation of that state. The latter emphasizes the transition from certainty to uncertainty.