a suspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a suspicious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that causes suspicion or doubt. For example: "These footprints in the mud are a suspicious indication that someone has been here."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What's an S&M dungeon?" a suspicious Grace asked, suspiciously.

Huffington Post

"It's a suspicious neighborhood".

The New Yorker

"You're not a suspicious bachelor".

The New York Times - Travel

She is a suspicious eater.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What if I receive a suspicious email?

The Guardian

But not in a suspicious way.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I am not a suspicious person".

The New York Times

A skylarker was a name for a suspicious character.

The New York Times

FSA Command played a suspicious role in our retreat.

The Guardian

A suspicious staff officer reported his long absence.

The New York Times

Regulators first noticed a suspicious spike in trading on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In medical or scientific writing, use "a suspicious" to denote findings that require further investigation, such as a nodule or a test result, to maintain a neutral but cautious tone

Common error

Do not confuse "a suspicious" (adjective phrase) with "a suspect" (noun). While a person might be "a suspicious character", the individual identified by the police as having committed a crime is simply "a suspect". Using "a suspicious" as a noun is ungrammatical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a suspicious" functions as a noun-modifier consisting of an indefinite article and a descriptive adjective. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to qualify a noun by attributing a characteristic of doubt, distrust, or potential danger.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a suspicious" is a highly versatile and grammatically standard English expression. Based on data from Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used to describe objects of concern (like packages or fires), states of mind (like a wary spouse), or medical findings that require further testing. Its strength lies in its ability to bridge the gap between subjective feeling and objective observation. Whether you are writing a thriller, a news report, or a clinical study, "a suspicious" remains a precise choice for indicating that something warrants a closer look. To avoid repetition, you might consider alternatives like "<a href="/s/a+dubious" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a dubious" claim or "<a href="/s/a+questionable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a questionable" decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a questionable

Shifts focus from the feeling of suspicion to the objective doubtfulness of the subject

a dubious

Often used to describe claims or reputations that lack credibility

a fishy

Informal alternative suggesting something is not quite right or likely dishonest

a distrustful

Describes a person's state of mind rather than the quality of an object

a shady

Informal and implies a stronger association with illegal or unethical behavior

a skeptical

Indicates a healthy degree of doubt or questioning rather than immediate alarm

an untrustworthy

Directly states that the subject cannot be relied upon

a wary

Emphasizes the caution of the observer rather than the guilt of the subject

a suspect

Often used in more formal or legalistic contexts to indicate a person under investigation

a peculiar

Suggests something is strange or odd without necessarily implying wrongdoing

FAQs

How do I use "a suspicious" in a sentence?

You can use "a suspicious" before a noun to indicate that something or someone causes doubt. For example, Ludwig AI provides examples like "<a href="/s/a+suspicious+package" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a suspicious package" was found or "he gave <a href="/s/a+suspicious+look" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a suspicious look".

What is the difference between "a suspicious" and "a suspect"?

While both imply doubt, "a suspicious" is an adjective phrase describing a quality, whereas "<a href="/s/a+suspect" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a suspect" is often used as a noun to refer to a specific person thought to be guilty of a crime.

What can I say instead of "a suspicious" for something less formal?

In casual conversation, you might use "<a href="/s/a+fishy" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a fishy" situation or "<a href="/s/a+shady" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a shady" character to convey the same feeling of distrust.

Is "a suspicious" appropriate for scientific reports?

Yes, it is very common in medical contexts. Scientific sources in Ludwig often refer to "<a href="/s/a+suspicious+lesion" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a suspicious lesion" or "<a href="/s/a+suspicious+finding" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a suspicious finding" when a result suggests a potential pathology.