a cloud of doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

"a cloud of doubt" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to a feeling of uncertainty or apprehension, often when making an important decision. For example, "The decision before me caused a cloud of doubt to form in my mind as I weighed the pros and cons of each option."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"There shouldn't be a cloud of doubt". Dr. Soffritti's journal article on his findings is at nytimes.com/business.

The New York Times

Hodgson takes his new squad to Switzerland on Wednesday, with the futures of Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano remaining a cloud of doubt ahead of the season.

Independent

The solidity of the suit was the issue, so when North bid seven clubs, indicating a cloud of doubt, South knew what to do.

The New York Times - Arts

President Donald Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey throws a cloud of doubt over the bureau's investigation into allegations of Trump campaign ties to Russia.

The Guardian

But it is an unavoidable fact that the president's behavior has cast a cloud of doubt over the work of these honorable civil servants.

The Washington Post

Unless there is rigorous attention to scientific validation of these techniques, including comparative trials versus conventional treatments, there will remain a cloud of doubt and concern about their role and usefulness in clinical medicine.

The American Journal of Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

With only one Democratic opponent remaining on the field, Gov. Bill Clinton has gained the support of a bare majority of Democrats nationwide and his campaign continues to confront a cloud of doubts and reservations, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll.

The New York Times

"And the greatest risk of all is that a hostile state might succeed in casting a permanent cloud of doubt over an entire democratic system". Mr Hunt said in the cyber era, hostile states no longer need to fight wars to subvert democracy.

BBC

So a man is going to be executed, murdered, in fact, under a dark cloud of doubt in a nation, ours, that has come to practice executions as effortlessly as we breath.

Huffington Post

However as sexual violence against women, men and children by state agents remains both common and unmitigated, this promise of a change comes with a dark cloud of doubt looming over it.

The Guardian

The competing interests of protecting the safety of a noted human rights hero and maintaining positive U.S.-China relations during this important summit have left a huge cloud of doubt hanging over America's commitment to standing up for human rights.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cloud of doubt" to express uncertainty or skepticism surrounding a situation, decision, or person, especially when you want to convey a sense of apprehension or lack of confidence.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, be mindful of overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more direct alternatives like "uncertainty" or "skepticism" for a more concise tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cloud of doubt" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb like "cast", "hang", or "linger". It describes a state of uncertainty or suspicion surrounding a particular issue or entity. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a cloud of doubt" effectively conveys uncertainty or skepticism, often casting a negative light on a situation, person, or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and sees common usage in news, science, and formal contexts. While versatile, more direct terms like "uncertainty" or "skepticism" may be preferred in highly formal writing. When writing "a cloud of doubt", it is important to express apprehension and lack of confidence in the most concise way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shadow of uncertainty

Replaces 'doubt' with 'uncertainty' and 'cloud' with 'shadow', altering the imagery while maintaining the core meaning of something being uncertain.

a veil of skepticism

Substitutes 'doubt' with 'skepticism' and 'cloud' with 'veil', emphasizing disbelief or questioning.

a lingering question

Simplifies the phrase to indicate an unresolved issue or concern, removing the metaphorical element.

an atmosphere of mistrust

Focuses on the feeling of a lack of trust, implying suspicion or doubt about someone or something.

a sense of unease

Highlights the discomfort and anxiety associated with uncertainty, rather than directly indicating doubt.

nagging reservations

Emphasizes persistent doubts or concerns that are difficult to dismiss, changing the imagery.

lingering suspicions

Focuses on doubts about someone's honesty or integrity, changing the noun while keeping similar tone.

unresolved questions

Emphasizes that matters remain unclear and unanswered, dropping the cloud metaphor.

a feeling of ambiguity

Highlights the lack of clarity and definiteness, presenting the uncertainty as a sentiment.

an air of uncertainty

Focuses on an atmosphere characterized by a lack of certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "a cloud of doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "a cloud of doubt" to express uncertainty about a situation. For example, "The allegations cast "a cloud of doubt" over his reputation."

What's a more formal alternative to "a cloud of doubt"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "uncertainty", "skepticism", or "reservations" to convey a similar meaning with greater precision and less figurative language.

Is it better to say "a cloud of doubt" or "a shadow of doubt"?

Both phrases are correct and convey a similar meaning, but "a shadow of doubt" can suggest a darker, more ominous feeling of uncertainty. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What kind of situations typically have "a cloud of doubt" hanging over them?

Situations involving accusations, scandals, or unclear evidence often have "a cloud of doubt" hanging over them, suggesting that the truth is uncertain and that there are reasons to be skeptical.