I was suspecting

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was suspecting" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you were doubting or expecting something. For example, "I was suspecting that he wasn't being honest with me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I was suspecting to hear, "You live here?

Vice

With that in mind, I was suspecting, perhaps too optimistically, that Daley would get an easier ride than his predecessors in professional sports who've placed an athletically toned foot outside the closet.

Huffington Post

"When it was diagnosed first, I was suspecting it as a cancer".

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I was afraid to get tested, not because of any bad thing which I was suspected to have done.

American Journal of Public Health

If you read CrunchGear, I'm suspecting it was the latter.

TechCrunch

"In the end, I'm suspect of all of it.

The New Yorker

"There have been headlines all across the world that I am suspected of rape," he said.

The New York Times

If I am suspected of drunken driving, do I have to take sobriety tests?

Duke University

I phoned my agent and told him I was suspect H.

The Guardian - Opinion

I felt I was suspect in the eyes of the women.

The Guardian - Books

I have not been suspected of just being lazy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was suspecting", ensure the context clearly indicates what you were suspecting. Providing details strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "I was suspecting" without presenting supporting evidence or rationale. This can make your writing sound accusatory or speculative without justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was suspecting" functions as a statement of past continuous belief or inclination. According to Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct, indicating a state of mind that was ongoing at some point in the past. This is supported by the examples found in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was suspecting" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a past inclination or belief, often tinged with doubt or anticipation. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it appears less frequently than similar expressions. It is mostly found in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what you were suspecting. Substitute with alternatives like "I was imagining", "I was thinking", or "I was doubting" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was doubting

Directly expresses a feeling of disbelief or uncertainty.

I was imagining

Focuses more on mental imagery or creation rather than a reasoned suspicion.

I was assuming

Highlights a presumption based on limited evidence.

I had a feeling

Expresses an intuitive sense, lacking concrete evidence.

I was thinking

Implies a broader cognitive process, not necessarily linked to suspicion.

I guessed

Conveys a casual and less formal form of suspecting.

I was wondering

Suggests curiosity and a lack of certainty, less assertive than suspecting.

I anticipated

Focuses on expecting something to happen, which may or may not involve suspicion.

I questioned

Implies active inquiry and investigation, rather than passive suspicion.

I believed

Suggests a stronger level of conviction, potentially unfounded.

FAQs

How can I use "I was suspecting" in a sentence?

Use "I was suspecting" to express a prior inclination or belief about something, often implying doubt or anticipation. For example, "I was suspecting that the meeting would be canceled due to the weather."

What are some alternatives to "I was suspecting"?

You can use alternatives like "I was imagining", "I was thinking", or "I was doubting" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "I suspected" or "I was suspecting"?

"I suspected" is more concise and direct, while "I was suspecting" emphasizes the ongoing nature of your suspicion at a particular time. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "I was suspecting" and "I had a feeling"?

"I was suspecting" implies a degree of reasoning or evidence, however slight, behind your inclination. "I had a feeling" suggests a more intuitive, less reasoned sense about something.