an atmosphere of doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an atmosphere of doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or environment where uncertainty or skepticism prevails. Example: "The team's lack of communication created an atmosphere of doubt regarding the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The agency said this had "created an atmosphere of doubt and ambiguity for success of the Moscow talks".

The New York Times

Decisions have to be made in a fog, on a balance of risks, in an atmosphere of doubt.

The Economist

In the end, none of his political virtues protected him from an atmosphere of doubt within the party hierarchy which he chose to regard as a notice to quit.

The Guardian

And because betting against a company's shares or its debt can create an atmosphere of doubt about a company's financial standing, Goldman because of its size and its position in the market can help make the success of some of its wagers faits accomplis.

The New York Times

When al-Jazeera and other Arab satellite TV services were launched in 1996, the intelligence agencies of Arab regimes began a campaign to create an atmosphere of doubt around us, including the rumour that al-Jazeera was established by a Mossad officer living in the Doha Sheraton.

The Guardian - Opinion

In his efforts to repair the relationship between the US and Arab world that was left in tatters after the Bush administration, President Obama has along the way created an atmosphere of doubt among many in the Israeli camp.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

From there, the blame machine gathers steam as it rolls down through the ranks of the corporation, ultimately taking on a life of its own and creating an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty and doubt.

Forbes

The great side of 1970 also approached the World Cup in an atmosphere of recrimination and doubt.

The Economist

The vagueness leaves the audience unsure whether to believe Merriam's accusations against the Captain, and builds an atmosphere of paranoia and doubt which is critical to the picture's success.

Wikipedia

Officials who voiced doubts were purged, creating an atmosphere of fearful conformism that ensured the policies continued until mounting catastrophe finally forced Mao to abandon them.

The New York Times

This year in January, no doubt the last festival to be held in Timbuktu for a while occurred in an atmosphere of high alert after recent kidnappings and the murder of a German tourist by al-Qaida.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an atmosphere of doubt" when you want to describe a situation where uncertainty or skepticism is prevalent, affecting decisions and perceptions. Be specific about the source or cause of the doubt to strengthen your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "an atmosphere of doubt" as a vague descriptor. Provide context by clarifying what is causing the doubt and its impact on the situation or individuals involved. Instead of just stating that there is "an atmosphere of doubt", specify what contributes to it, such as "The lack of communication created an atmosphere of doubt regarding the project's success."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an atmosphere of doubt" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes the prevailing emotional or intellectual environment in a given context. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an atmosphere of doubt" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a situation characterized by uncertainty and skepticism. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and readily understood in English. While not extremely frequent, its use is consistent across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using the phrase, ensure you provide context by clearly stating the source or cause of the doubt. Alternative phrases like "a climate of uncertainty" or "a sense of skepticism" can also be employed to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance you want to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an air of uncertainty

Substitutes "atmosphere" with "air", maintaining a similar sense of something intangible and pervasive.

a climate of uncertainty

Replaces "atmosphere of doubt" with "climate of uncertainty", emphasizing the pervasive nature of uncertainty.

a sense of skepticism

Focuses on the feeling of disbelief or questioning rather than a general environment.

a prevailing skepticism

Emphasizes that skepticism is widespread and dominant.

a climate of mistrust

Shifts the focus from doubt to a lack of trust.

a cloud of suspicion

Uses "cloud" as a metaphor to suggest something that obscures or casts doubt.

general uncertainty

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct expression of uncertainty.

a feeling of apprehension

Highlights the anxiety and unease associated with uncertainty.

widespread lack of confidence

Focuses on the absence of assurance or belief.

pervasive ambiguity

Highlights the presence of unclear or inexact elements.

FAQs

How can I use "an atmosphere of doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "an atmosphere of doubt" to describe situations where uncertainty or skepticism is prevalent. For example: "The constant delays created "an atmosphere of doubt" surrounding the project's completion."

What are some alternatives to "an atmosphere of doubt"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a climate of uncertainty", "a sense of skepticism", or "an air of uncertainty", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "an atmosphere of doubt" or "a atmosphere of doubt"?

"An atmosphere of doubt" is correct because "atmosphere" begins with a vowel sound, requiring the indefinite article "an".

What's the difference between "an atmosphere of doubt" and "an atmosphere of suspicion"?

"An atmosphere of doubt" implies uncertainty or a lack of confidence, while "an atmosphere of suspicion" suggests a belief that someone might be dishonest or involved in illegal activities. The former is more general uncertainty, while the latter implies distrust.