I started to doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started to doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a shift in your confidence or belief about something, often in a narrative or reflective context. Example: "As the project progressed, I started to doubt whether we would meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

I started to doubt a little bit.

The Guardian - Film

As a teenager I started to doubt this theological story.

The New York Times

I started to doubt what I'd written in those articles.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Last season was a bad time and I started to doubt myself," said Gooch.

The Guardian - Sport

"I started to doubt my own ability because he was making me look incompetent.

The Guardian

But as I waited for them I started to doubt myself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Mark helps me stay positive when I start to doubt my playing or I become discouraged.

The New York Times

The third quarter made things a little tighter, I start to doubt the Pendulum, It's 12-7.

Huffington Post

For the first time in my 50 years on this earth, I have started to doubt that I will see a woman president in my lifetime.

Huffington Post

I've been saying it so long I've started to doubt my own words.

Los Angeles Times

It was a tense conversation, and on the way home from the market I really started to doubt myself.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I started to doubt" to signal a turning point in your thinking or a shift in your assessment of a situation. It is effective when you want to create a sense of evolving perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "I started to doubt" too frequently in a single piece of writing, as it can make your narrative sound indecisive. Vary your language with alternatives such as "I began to question" or "I grew skeptical of" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started to doubt" functions as an independent clause expressing a change in the speaker's belief or certainty. It describes the initiation of doubt, as seen in Ludwig's examples where individuals express a shift from confidence to uncertainty. It is generally used to convey a personal reflection or assessment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I started to doubt" is used to describe a shift from certainty to uncertainty. It functions as an independent clause and is considered grammatically correct. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, suggesting its use in personal narratives or analyses of evolving situations. While the phrase is functional and clear, it is advisable to avoid overuse and vary your language to enhance narrative richness. Consider alternatives like "I began to question" or "I grew skeptical of" to prevent redundancy. According to Ludwig's analysis, it's a useful phrase, but diversity in expression makes for more engaging writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began to question

Focuses on the initiation of questioning something previously accepted.

I began to waver

Emphasizes a weakening of resolve or conviction.

I grew skeptical of

Highlights a gradual development of doubt or disbelief.

I lost faith in

Indicates a complete loss of trust or confidence.

I entertained doubts about

Focuses on considering the possibility of something being untrue or unreliable.

I felt uncertain about

Highlights a feeling of lacking sureness or confidence.

I had misgivings about

Implies a feeling of apprehension or unease about something.

I started second-guessing

Emphasizes the act of reconsidering a decision or belief.

I became unsure of

Highlights a transition to a state of uncertainty.

My confidence waned in

Describes a gradual decline in confidence.

FAQs

How can I use "I started to doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "I started to doubt" to express a shift in your certainty or belief about something. For example: "After seeing the evidence, "I started to doubt" my initial assumptions."

What can I say instead of "I started to doubt"?

You can use alternatives like "I began to question", "I grew skeptical of", or "I lost faith in" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I began to doubt" instead of "I started to doubt"?

Yes, "I began to doubt" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "I started to doubt". Both phrases convey a similar meaning of initiating a feeling of uncertainty.

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

"I started to doubt" indicates the beginning of a feeling of uncertainty, while "I doubted" suggests a more established or complete state of doubt. The former implies a process, whereas the latter implies a state.