a substantial doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express a significant level of uncertainty or skepticism about something. Example: "The evidence presented in the trial raised a substantial doubt about the defendant's guilt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In that filing, the company noted that there was a "substantial doubt" that it could continue as a going concern.

The New York Times

That would trigger defaults that might force it to suspend multibillion-dollar development projects in the U.S. and Asia and "raise a substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern," it said.

Forbes

He added: "In my judgment, he failed to provide adequate reasons for his conclusion that the noise impact of the proposed development was unacceptable; his reasoning gives rise to a substantial doubt, at the very least, as to whether he erred in law when reaching his conclusion upon the issue of noise impact".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

G.M. lost more than $30 billion worldwide in 2008, and on Thursday its auditors released a report expressing "substantial doubt" about its ability to continue to operate.

The New York Times

As a result the auditor expressed "substantial doubt" about the company's ability to continue as a going concern.

The New York Times

Independent auditors for the American Technology Corporation, an electronics manufacturer, have "substantial doubt" about the company's ability to keep operating, American Technology said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission this week.

The New York Times

But according to professional standards for auditors published by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a deficiency in working capital is a prime factor for an auditor to consider when trying to ascertain whether there is substantial doubt that a company can continue to operate.

The New York Times

Shares in G.M. sank to their lowest point in 65 years, to $2.92, on Tuesday, the day after the company revealed in a federal filing that its "ability to continue as a going concern" is in substantial doubt because it may run out of money by the end of the year.

The New York Times

At the same time, filings revealed that an independent auditor had raised "substantial doubt" about whether MoviePass would be able to continue operating as "a going concern".

TechCrunch

In August, Ernst & Young, the company's independent auditors, concluded in a report that it had "substantial doubt" about Excite@Home's long-term viability.

The New York Times

By this February, the company's debts were so high that it was having difficulty getting loans and issued a statement warning that there was "substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "a substantial doubt", ensure that the context clearly establishes the source and nature of the doubt. Specificity enhances the phrase's impact and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial doubt" when a minor uncertainty exists. Overstating the level of doubt can diminish your credibility and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial doubt" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates a significant degree of uncertainty or skepticism regarding a particular issue or statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial doubt" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey a significant level of uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively rare, its occurrence is primarily found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. To use it effectively, ensure the context clearly defines the source and nature of the doubt, avoiding overstatement to maintain credibility. Consider using alternatives like "a significant uncertainty" or "serious misgivings" to vary your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant uncertainty

Replaces "doubt" with "uncertainty" and "substantial" with "significant", maintaining a similar level of impact.

a considerable reservation

Substitutes "doubt" with "reservation" and "substantial" with "considerable", softening the tone slightly while preserving the core meaning.

a major concern

Replaces "doubt" with "concern", shifting the focus to the worrying aspect of the situation.

serious misgivings

Uses "misgivings" to convey a sense of unease and doubt, adding a layer of emotional concern.

grave reservations

Emphasizes the severity of the doubt with the adjective "grave", indicating a serious concern.

a weighty apprehension

Replaces "doubt" with "apprehension", highlighting the anxiety and concern related to the uncertainty.

a profound skepticism

Substitutes "doubt" with "skepticism", emphasizing the disbelief or questioning attitude.

a real question mark

Uses a more idiomatic expression to suggest that the matter is uncertain and unresolved.

a nagging uncertainty

Implies that the doubt is persistent and bothersome.

a gnawing suspicion

Suggests a strong feeling of distrust or doubt that is difficult to ignore.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial doubt" to express significant uncertainty. For example, "The new evidence raised "a substantial doubt" about the original verdict".

What are some alternatives to "a substantial doubt"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "a significant uncertainty", "a considerable reservation", or "serious misgivings", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "substantial doubt" or "reasonable doubt"?

"Reasonable doubt" is a legal term with a specific meaning in the context of legal proceedings. "A substantial doubt" is a more general expression of uncertainty.

What's the difference between "a substantial doubt" and "a slight doubt"?

"A substantial doubt" implies a significant level of uncertainty that could impact decisions or conclusions. "A slight doubt" suggests a minor uncertainty that is unlikely to have a major effect.