a trace of doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trace of doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small amount of uncertainty or skepticism about something. Example: "Despite her confident demeanor, there was a trace of doubt in her voice when she spoke about the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But, without a trace of doubt, he crossed the empty street.

The New Yorker

A Democratic colleague said she wanted to remove even a trace of doubt.

The New York Times

With the thought of his son to keep him focused, he went after the gold medal without a trace of doubt in his demeanor.

The New York Times - Sports

As brave as Fister was — continuing to perform the very act that got him hit, seemingly without a trace of doubt — the Tigers did not have time to look inside his head.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's the way the world works," he says, without a trace of doubt.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

To eradicate any trace of doubt, then, Lost in Showbiz can only say: Habeas sex pestus, Myleene.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

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Vice

Routine ground balls to second base became anything but routine last year, and Knoblauch's hesitation before moving off the field last week might have betrayed a trace of lingering doubt: What's going to happen next?

The New York Times - Sports

If you drew a graph pinpointing the exact time when work sucks the most, uni bores you to tears or bongs break, you'd discover, without a trace of a doubt, that it's right around the three o'clock mark.

Vice

As always, Rivera accepted the blame and shrugged off the loss without a trace of self-doubt.

The New York Times

Until the moment that Lewis and Tyson answered the bell for Round 1 at 10 28 p.m. here, there was still a trace of the lingering doubt that had dogged the promotion.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for subtlety, use "a trace of doubt" to suggest uncertainty without being overly critical or negative. It's useful when describing a character's internal conflict or a speaker's hidden reservations.

Common error

Avoid using "a trace of doubt" when a stronger expression of uncertainty or disbelief is warranted. This phrase is best suited for minimal or subtle doubt, not significant skepticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trace of doubt" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a preposition (e.g., 'without a trace of doubt') or a subject complement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a small amount of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a trace of doubt" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey a slight degree of uncertainty or skepticism. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correctly used and understood in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears frequently in news and media sources and offers a subtle way to qualify statements without expressing strong disbelief. Alternatives such as "a hint of uncertainty" or "a touch of skepticism" can be used to achieve similar effects with slightly different nuances. It's important to note the context to avoid overstating the uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of uncertainty

Replaces "doubt" with "uncertainty" and "trace" with "hint", suggesting a slightly milder degree of uncertainty.

a touch of skepticism

Substitutes "doubt" with "skepticism" and "trace" with "touch", implying a mild questioning or disbelief.

a shadow of uncertainty

Uses "shadow" instead of "trace", creating a more metaphorical image of uncertainty.

a glimmer of hesitation

Replaces "doubt" with "hesitation" and "trace" with "glimmer", indicating a slight pause or reluctance.

a suspicion of uncertainty

Emphasizes a suspicion rather than doubt, implying a guarded uncertainty.

a small amount of uncertainty

Uses a more literal description, quantifying the uncertainty.

a degree of uncertainty

Similar to "a small amount of uncertainty", but uses "degree" to suggest a measurable level of uncertainty.

a feeling of unease

Shifts the focus to the emotional response associated with doubt, emphasizing discomfort.

a slight reservation

Indicates a mild form of holding back or disagreeing, related to doubt.

a whisper of doubt

Employs "whisper" for "trace", suggesting a subtle, almost imperceptible doubt.

FAQs

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

You can use "a trace of doubt" to indicate a small amount of uncertainty or skepticism. For example: "Despite his confident presentation, there was "a trace of doubt" in his eyes."

What's a good alternative to "a trace of doubt"?

Alternatives to "a trace of doubt" include "a hint of uncertainty", "a touch of skepticism", or "a glimmer of hesitation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a trace of doubt" or "a shred of doubt"?

"A trace of doubt" implies a very small amount of uncertainty, while "a shred of doubt" suggests a slightly larger or more significant uncertainty. The best choice depends on the degree of doubt you wish to express.

What's the difference between "a trace of doubt" and "a shadow of a doubt"?

"A trace of doubt" suggests a small, almost imperceptible amount of uncertainty. "Without "a shadow of a doubt"", on the other hand, means there is absolutely no uncertainty whatsoever.