a somewhat suspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a somewhat suspicious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that raises doubts or concerns, often in a context where the level of suspicion is moderate. Example: "The sudden change in his behavior was a somewhat suspicious sign that something was wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"To claim never to take sides for a journalist seemed to me to be a somewhat suspicious attitude, even a hypocritical pretension".

The New York Times

The investigation focuses chiefly on past years when simply disposing of one of the carbon copies of each summons was often enough to make a ticket go away, even if it did leave a somewhat suspicious gap in the consecutively numbered tickets issued by the officer.

The New York Times

His principal objective became to achieve, in co-operation with the Malayan prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, independence through merger with a somewhat suspicious Malaya – which had been independent since 1957 – plus the territories of Sarawak and Sabah to form Malaysia.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The congressman also described the timing of his ex-wife's filing -- Dec. 6, a matter of weeks after the 2008 election -- as somewhat suspicious, a suggestion that Laura Walsh's attorney, Jack Coladarci, told the Daily Herald was "a very funny thing to say".

Huffington Post

"They have a right to be somewhat suspicious of people who come into the country and don't share their experience".

The New York Times

I'm somewhat suspicious, though, of a model that uses polls, which usually understate opposition to same-sex marriage, to argue that opposition is decreasing.

The Guardian - Opinion

At first he had been somewhat suspicious, fearing it could become a vehicle for Indonesian domination, or an expression of pan-Malay identity.

The Guardian

Given that the MLSs have generally been extremely protective of their data and the real estate business is somewhat suspicious of technology, that was quite an achievement by itself.

TechCrunch

So when a self-proclaimed Hindu statesman proclaims authority, her/his authority is somewhat suspicious.

Huffington Post

The actual product won't be released for at least a few weeks, so the timing on this, coming immediately after MySpace, is somewhat suspicious.

TechCrunch

And if that makes you somewhat suspicious?

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a somewhat suspicious", ensure the context provides a clear reason for the suspicion, even if it's subtle. Avoid using it without any supporting details, as it can leave the reader wondering what exactly is suspicious.

Common error

Avoid using "a somewhat suspicious" when the situation warrants a stronger term like "highly suspicious" or "obviously fraudulent". "Somewhat" implies a moderate level of doubt, so choose your words carefully to match the intensity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a somewhat suspicious" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It describes a noun by attributing a quality of being doubted or distrusted to some degree. This is consistent with the Ludwig AI which confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a somewhat suspicious" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, albeit relatively infrequent. As indicated by Ludwig, it conveys a moderate level of doubt or uncertainty, making it suitable for contexts where a more definitive accusation is unwarranted. Its primary function is to pre-modify a noun, adding a layer of cautious assessment. Usage is most common in neutral registers like news and general writing, originating from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When employing this phrase, ensure contextual support for the suspicion to avoid ambiguity. The AI confirms its correctness and provides similar alternatives. While not very frequent, the phrase serves a valuable purpose in conveying nuanced skepticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slightly dubious

Indicates a weaker level of suspicion compared to "somewhat suspicious".

a rather questionable

Suggests that something is open to doubt or dispute, implying a higher level of scrutiny.

a bit suspect

A more informal way of expressing mild suspicion.

somewhat doubtful

Emphasizes the uncertainty or lack of conviction regarding something.

a little fishy

An idiomatic expression suggesting something is not quite right or seems dishonest.

slightly untrustworthy

Focuses on the lack of reliability or trustworthiness of something or someone.

marginally dubious

Highlights a very small degree of doubt or uncertainty.

a shade suspicious

Implies a subtle or barely noticeable level of suspicion.

a trifle questionable

Uses "trifle" to mean "a little", making the doubt seem minor.

somewhat improbable

Shifts the focus from suspicion to the likelihood of something being true or accurate.

FAQs

How can I use "a somewhat suspicious" in a sentence?

You can use "a somewhat suspicious" to describe anything that raises a minor level of doubt or concern. For example, "The timing of his resignation was "a somewhat suspicious" sign."

What can I say instead of "a somewhat suspicious"?

You can use alternatives like "a slightly dubious", "a rather questionable", or "a bit suspect" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "somewhat suspicious" or "a somewhat suspicious"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a somewhat suspicious" is typically used before a noun. For example, "A somewhat suspicious package arrived at the office" vs. "The situation was somewhat suspicious."

What's the difference between "a somewhat suspicious" and "a very suspicious"?

"A somewhat suspicious" suggests a mild degree of doubt, while "a very suspicious" indicates a strong belief that something is wrong or dishonest. The choice depends on the level of certainty and evidence you have.