I was suspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "I was suspicious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this sentence when you want to express that you had doubts or uncertainty about something. For example: "I was suspicious when I heard he had won the lottery without buying a ticket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was suspicious.

MIT Technology Review

Yes, I was suspicious.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was suspicious of everyone.

The Washington Post

At first, I was suspicious.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I was suspicious of Christians", he said.

The Economist

I was suspicious about the whole thing.

Independent

"I was suspicious, but I liked him.

The New York Times

It looked good, but I was suspicious.

The Guardian - Opinion

At first I was suspicious of this one.

The New York Times - Books

When I saw these surveys, I was suspicious.

The Washington Post

"At first, I was suspicious of you," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "I was suspicious" with an explanation of why you felt that way. This adds depth to your narrative and helps the reader understand your perspective.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "I was suspicious". Always specify what triggered your suspicion to make your writing more engaging and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was suspicious" functions as a statement expressing a past feeling of doubt or mistrust. Ludwig AI confirms this is a common and correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was suspicious" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express a past feeling of doubt or mistrust. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and is considered appropriate for neutral to professional registers. When using this phrase, remember to provide context and clarify the reason for your suspicion. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is sound and provides numerous examples across authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was dubious

Expresses a similar feeling of doubt, often implying a milder form of disbelief.

I was skeptical

Indicates a questioning attitude and a need for more evidence before believing something.

I was distrustful

Implies a lack of trust and a feeling of unease or apprehension.

I had my doubts

A more idiomatic way of expressing uncertainty or suspicion.

I felt doubtful

Highlights the emotional aspect of uncertainty and questioning.

I remained unconvinced

Emphasizes a lack of persuasion and a continued state of disbelief.

I smelled a rat

An informal idiom indicating a strong suspicion of deceit or wrongdoing.

I sensed something amiss

Suggests a feeling that something is wrong or not quite right.

I questioned its validity

Focuses on doubting the truthfulness or accuracy of something.

I took it with a grain of salt

Indicates that you are not fully believing something you have been told.

FAQs

What does "I was suspicious" mean?

It means you felt doubt or mistrust about something or someone. You can use it to express your uncertainty or apprehension in a given situation.

What can I say instead of "I was suspicious"?

You can use alternatives like "I was dubious", "I was skeptical", or "I was distrustful" depending on the context.

How to use "I was suspicious" in a sentence?

You can use it to express your initial reaction to a situation. For example, "I was suspicious when he offered me a deal that seemed too good to be true."

Is it correct to say "I am suspicious"?

Yes, but it indicates a present state. "I was suspicious" refers to a past feeling, while "I am suspicious" describes how you feel now. The correct tense depends on when you experienced the suspicion.