a shred of doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

"a shred of doubt" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means a small or tiny amount of uncertainty or hesitation. Example: "Despite the overwhelming evidence, she still held onto a shred of doubt about his guilt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Not a shred of doubt," he said.

The New York Times

Tantalisingly, though, a shred of doubt remains.

The Guardian - Books

Kathleen A. McAuley has not a shred of doubt.

The New York Times

"There was not a shred of doubt that everyone felt happier for it," according to Michael.

The Washington Post

Without a shred of doubt, this incident is part of a bigger picture.

The Guardian - Opinion

Is there a shred of doubt that the new Georgia poll tax is more about politics than about fraud prevention?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"In case there is any shred of doubt in the minds of our House counterparts, I want to be absolutely crystal clear: any bill that defunds Obamacare is dead," said Senate majority leader Harry Reid.

The Guardian

On to the real highlight of my visit to Legoland, which was beyond any shred of doubt the 420 square-metre Star Wars display area in Miniland, which is at the heart of the park.

TechCrunch

We'll see more of this type of behavior in the future beyond any shred of doubt, but I'm wondering what exactly is considered as 'commercial usage' by Twitter management: does it mean any way of promoting a product or service or only when there's sales activity connected to the corporate accounts?

TechCrunch

"We don't want to have any shred of doubt in our consumers' minds that we are watching out for their best interests," Amalgamated CEO Keith Mestrich told HuffPost.

Huffington Post

"In case there's any shred of doubt in the minds of our House counterparts, I want to be absolutely crystal clear: Any bill that defunds Obamacare is dead, dead.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a shred of doubt" to indicate a minimal level of uncertainty or skepticism, suitable when acknowledging a slight reservation despite overall confidence.

Common error

Avoid using "a shred of doubt" when the uncertainty is substantial. Opt for stronger expressions like "significant doubt" or "serious reservations" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shred of doubt" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb (e.g., 'have', 'leave') or following a preposition. It serves to qualify the degree of certainty someone possesses regarding a particular matter.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Opinion

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Books

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a shred of doubt" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a minimal amount of uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted in English writing. It is frequently found in news articles, opinion pieces, and various other contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. While alternatives like "a shadow of a doubt" exist, "a shred of doubt" is best used when the uncertainty is genuinely slight. Its communicative function is to express that while some doubt may exist, overall conviction remains strong. Be sure to consider the magnitude of the doubt you want to convey and choose the right word to convey the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shadow of a doubt

Emphasizes a slightly more significant level of uncertainty compared to "a shred of doubt".

a hint of uncertainty

Focuses on a subtle indication of doubt, possibly less pronounced than "a shred of doubt".

a trace of skepticism

Highlights a questioning attitude, suggesting doubt stemming from disbelief.

a modicum of uncertainty

Implies a limited quantity of doubt or hesitation.

a tinge of apprehension

Connects doubt with a feeling of anxiety or concern about potential outcomes.

a whisper of disbelief

Underscores the quiet, barely audible nature of the doubt.

a glimmer of skepticism

Suggests a faint and fleeting appearance of doubt.

the slightest hesitation

Pinpoints a brief pause or reluctance as an expression of doubt.

a flicker of uncertainty

Illustrates a wavering or unsteady feeling of doubt.

a fragment of disbelief

Indicates a small, detached piece of doubt or skepticism.

FAQs

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

You can use "a shred of doubt" to express a very small amount of uncertainty. For example, "Despite the evidence, I still have "a shred of doubt" about his guilt."

What phrases are similar to "a shred of doubt"?

Alternatives include "a shadow of a doubt", "a hint of uncertainty", or "a trace of skepticism". The best choice depends on the context and the degree of uncertainty you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a shred of doubt" or "no doubt"?

"A shred of doubt" implies a small amount of uncertainty remains, while "no doubt" expresses complete certainty. The appropriate phrase depends on the actual level of certainty.

What's the difference between "a shred of doubt" and "reasonable doubt"?

"A shred of doubt" refers to a minimal, often insignificant, uncertainty. "Reasonable doubt", on the other hand, is a legal standard indicating uncertainty significant enough to question guilt. It is used mainly in the legal context and has a specific connotation.