a cloud of scepticism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cloud of scepticism" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a pervasive atmosphere of doubt or disbelief surrounding a particular issue or situation. Example: "The announcement was met with a cloud of scepticism from the public, who questioned the validity of the claims made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Widely believed to have been the club's eighth choice, the ex-Manchester United defender arrives under a cloud of scepticism.

BBC

Magazine features during the time of the Radloff case paint a holistic picture of Jonker, one of a man who considers all sides and remains reasonable and steadfast amid a cloud of scepticism, even from his peers.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A cloud of us.

The Guardian - Books

A cloud of names?

The New Yorker

A cloud of crème chantilly is "optional".

The New York Times

It collapsed in a cloud of dust.

The New York Times

Amazon already has a cloud of sorts.

The Economist

A degree of scepticism is warranted here.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Cruddas struck a note of scepticism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cluderay voices a word of scepticism.

The Guardian

"There is a lot of scepticism about the satellite.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cloud of scepticism" to describe situations where doubt is pervasive but not necessarily explicitly stated. It implies a general feeling rather than specific objections.

Common error

Avoid using "a cloud of scepticism" when describing isolated instances of doubt. This phrase suggests a widespread feeling, not individual reservations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cloud of scepticism" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes the prevailing sentiment or atmosphere surrounding a person, idea, or event. Ludwig indicates it is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a cloud of scepticism" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, though relatively rare in occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe a pervasive atmosphere of doubt or disbelief, typically found in News & Media contexts. When using the phrase, consider whether you intend to portray a widespread feeling rather than isolated doubts. If needed, alternatives like "an atmosphere of disbelief" or "a sense of distrust" may better suit your purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a veil of skepticism

Changes the metaphor from a cloud to a veil, implying a slightly more subtle or easily lifted doubt.

a wave of doubt

Replaces "scepticism" with "doubt" and "cloud" with "wave", suggesting a sudden surge of uncertainty.

an atmosphere of disbelief

Replaces the metaphorical "cloud" with a more literal "atmosphere", focusing on the overall feeling of disbelief.

a sense of distrust

Shifts the focus to distrust, emphasizing a lack of confidence in someone or something.

a climate of suspicion

Uses "climate" instead of "cloud", suggesting a more pervasive and entrenched feeling of suspicion.

widespread incredulity

Replaces the metaphorical language with a more direct and formal expression of disbelief.

general lack of faith

Emphasizes a lack of trust or confidence in a particular person or system.

pervasive doubt

Highlights the widespread nature of the doubt, emphasizing its presence in many areas.

prevailing skepticism

Indicates that skepticism is the dominant attitude or belief.

an undercurrent of doubt

Suggests that doubt is present but not always openly expressed.

FAQs

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

You can use "a cloud of scepticism" to describe an atmosphere of doubt surrounding a new proposal, announcement, or person. For example: "The new policy was met with "a cloud of scepticism" from the public".

What's a good alternative to "a cloud of scepticism"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "an atmosphere of disbelief", "a sense of distrust", or "widespread incredulity".

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

Both are acceptable, but "a cloud of scepticism" implies a more reasoned or intellectual doubt, whereas "a cloud of doubt" can refer to a more general feeling of uncertainty.

What does the metaphor "a cloud of scepticism" convey?

The metaphor "a cloud of scepticism" conveys a sense of pervasiveness and obscurity. Like a cloud, the skepticism is spread out and obscures clear vision or acceptance.