a doubt about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a doubt about" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in sentences to indicate that a person is uncertain or has a question about something. For example, "I had a doubt about the accuracy of the facts before me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But his trainer, Roger Charlton, warned yesterday: "Obviously, there now has to be a doubt about his participation, even though at this stage we are staying hopeful.

Independent

"I've never had a doubt about who I was".

Independent

A doubt about the causality of these models has been raised recently in the literature.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

There was not a doubt about the win.

The New York Times - Sports

"And if there is any shadow of a doubt about that, let it go".

The New Yorker

Will we ever know beyond a shadow of a doubt about Barry or Mark or Sammy?

The New York Times

Shouldn't you admit that there is a doubt about these outcomes?

The Guardian

There must never be a doubt about its relevance to our daily life.

The Guardian - Books

"There was never really a doubt about it," Patriots Coach Bill Belichick said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I've become a better net player, there's not a doubt about that," Roddick said.

The New York Times - Sports

And one thing this haywire show raised a doubt about was Mr. Posen's attention span.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a doubt about" when expressing uncertainty or questioning a specific aspect of a situation or decision. Be clear about what the doubt pertains to.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions with "doubt". While "doubt about" is standard, phrases like "doubt of" or "doubt on" are grammatically incorrect in most contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a doubt about" functions as a prepositional phrase expressing uncertainty or skepticism towards something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a doubt about" is a versatile phrase used to express uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage in English, supported by many examples from diverse and reliable sources, as evidenced by Ludwig's comprehensive database. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the subject of your doubt and consider alternatives like "a concern about" or "uncertainty regarding" for different shades of meaning. Remember to avoid incorrect preposition pairings to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a uncertainty about

Emphasizes a lack of sureness or definiteness.

a skepticism about

Replaces "doubt" with a stronger sense of disbelief or questioning.

a hesitation about

Highlights a pause or reluctance due to uncertainty.

a concern about

Shifts the focus to worry or apprehension regarding something.

unease about

Focuses on a feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

a reservation about

Indicates a mental qualification or exception regarding something.

concerns over

Emphasizes a worry about potential negative outcomes.

a suspicion about

Implies a belief that something may be wrong or untrustworthy.

misgivings regarding

Suggests a feeling of unease or apprehension.

questions regarding

Directly asks about the matter.

FAQs

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

You can use "a doubt about" to express uncertainty or skepticism, for example: "I have "a doubt about" the accuracy of that claim."

What are some alternatives to "a doubt about"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "a doubt about" with alternatives like "a concern about", "a reservation about", or "uncertainty regarding".

Is it more formal to use "uncertainty regarding" instead of "a doubt about"?

"Uncertainty regarding" is generally considered more formal than ""a doubt about"". Choose the phrasing that best fits the tone of your writing.

When is it appropriate to use "a shadow of a doubt" instead of "a doubt about"?

"A shadow of a doubt" implies a very small or negligible amount of uncertainty, while ""a doubt about"" simply indicates the presence of some uncertainty. For example, "There is no "a shadow of a doubt"" means there is absolute certainty.