I strongly doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I strongly doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express suspicion or uncertainty about something. For example, "I strongly doubt that this new diet will give me the results I'm looking for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

I strongly doubt it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I strongly doubt that many diners finish their dessert here.

The New York Times

Whether the companies have good recordkeeping I honestly don't know, but I strongly doubt it".

The New York Times

I strongly doubt we'll be seeing it again in a Hollywood movie any time soon.

The Guardian - Film

As a partisan, I strongly doubt that the current president has such nefarious motives or would stoop to such tactics.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I strongly doubt people, when they see the actual show, will find it either sleazy or salacious," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Twenty-five yeago aso, as I hunched over my piece of paper with its vertical line, I decided that if God existed, which I strongly doubted, then this entity was neither describable nor cherishable but was a vaporous, quite possibly malign force at the horizon of the sayable.

The New Yorker

They tell you it was Oxford and say a lot about Queen Elizabeth that I very strongly doubt: that she had six illegitimate children, that she was the mother of Oxford and almost everyone else in the cast!

Los Angeles Times

[On competition] we strongly doubt Sky plan to invest in building Britain more fibre infrastructure.

The Guardian - Business

"We strongly doubt that our father's health can withstand the stress of a trial or further detainment," family members wrote.

The New York Times

We hope that Syrians find solutions to the crisis soon, but we strongly doubt that the regime's terrorizing the population will end the crisis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "I strongly doubt" with a clear explanation of why you doubt the statement or situation. This provides context and strengthens your position.

Common error

Avoid using "I strongly doubt" in situations requiring extreme formality or deference. While polite, it still expresses disagreement, which might be inappropriate in certain hierarchical settings. Consider softening your language further or choosing a more neutral expression like "I am uncertain about..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I strongly doubt" functions as an expression of skepticism or disbelief. It conveys the speaker's lack of confidence in a particular statement or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and conveys uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I strongly doubt" is a versatile phrase used to express skepticism or disbelief in a polite yet firm manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in scientific and business writing. When using "I strongly doubt", consider the level of formality required and ensure you provide context for your skepticism. Alternatives like "I highly doubt" or "I seriously doubt" can offer similar nuances. By understanding its usage and potential pitfalls, you can effectively convey your doubts while maintaining a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I highly doubt

Emphasizes the degree of doubt, similar to the original phrase.

I seriously doubt

Indicates a significant level of uncertainty or disbelief.

I sincerely doubt

Highlights the genuineness of the speaker's doubt.

I very much doubt

Adds emphasis to the feeling of doubt.

I have serious doubts

Shifts the phrasing to focus on possessing doubts.

I find that hard to believe

Expresses doubt through a statement of disbelief.

I'm skeptical of that

Indicates a questioning attitude towards a claim.

I question that

Directly challenges the validity of something.

That seems unlikely to me

Expresses doubt by suggesting something is improbable.

I'm inclined to disbelieve that

Shows a tendency towards disbelief.

FAQs

How can I use "I strongly doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "I strongly doubt" to express disbelief or skepticism about something. For example, "I strongly doubt that this new policy will be effective."

What can I say instead of "I strongly doubt"?

You can use alternatives like "I highly doubt", "I seriously doubt", or "I find that hard to believe depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I strongly doubt" or "I doubt"?

"I strongly doubt" is more emphatic than "I doubt". Use "I strongly doubt" when you want to express a significant degree of skepticism.

What's the difference between "I strongly doubt" and "I strongly suspect"?

"I strongly doubt" expresses disbelief or uncertainty, while "I strongly suspect" suggests a belief, often based on limited evidence, that something is the case.