attracting suspicion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attracting suspicion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing actions or behaviors that cause others to become wary or doubtful about someone's intentions or honesty. Example: "His sudden change in behavior was attracting suspicion among his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Without attracting suspicion, General Giap's skinny soldiers had dragged hundreds of guns over the mountains and hidden them in deep firing positions.

The Economist

But killing large numbers of people with chemical weapons would require a big stockpile of deadly substances which would be difficult to accumulate without attracting suspicion.

The Economist

Servers are sited as close as possible to stock exchanges to minimise the time taken for orders to travel down the wires.This "high-frequency trading" is attracting suspicion.

The Economist

To make matters worse, the "ghosts" -- backup undercovers -- are stuck on the block, unable to come and go without attracting suspicion.

The New York Times

Rohingya in the camps, where tens of thousands have been confined since communal violence in 2012, have stopped gathering in groups to avoid attracting suspicion.

The Guardian

Racism, at that time, was rampant and blatant, and the church was one of the few places that black people could congregate outside work without attracting suspicion.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

You attract suspicion, and for what?

The Guardian

But it has attracted suspicion from others.

The Guardian

ENGLAND'S school-leaving exams have long attracted suspicion.

The Economist

A streak of that scale was also likely to attract suspicion.

The New Yorker

Before long, Kent began to attract suspicion as a possible German spy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions that intentionally avoid detection, pair "attracting suspicion" with adverbs like "unnecessarily" or "unduly" to emphasize the conscious effort to remain unnoticed. For example: "They tried to move the package without unduly attracting suspicion."

Common error

Avoid using "attracting suspicion" with overly broad or abstract subjects. Instead of saying "The project is attracting suspicion", specify who is suspicious and why to provide clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attracting suspicion" functions as a verb phrase acting as a gerund complement. It typically describes actions that lead to an increase in doubt or distrust from others. As evidenced by examples in Ludwig, it is often used to explain why certain behaviors are avoided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attracting suspicion" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression for describing actions that cause others to become doubtful or wary. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. Related phrases include "raising eyebrows" and "arousing mistrust", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings. When using the phrase, it's important to avoid vagueness by specifying who is suspicious and why, and to use it strategically to highlight the negative consequences of certain behaviors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raising eyebrows

Uses a more idiomatic expression to indicate that something is causing surprise or disapproval, leading to questioning.

arousing mistrust

Focuses on the feeling of mistrust that is generated.

drawing scrutiny

Highlights the act of attracting close examination or investigation.

inviting doubt

Emphasizes the act of causing doubt to arise.

becoming suspect

Shifts the focus to the state of being viewed with suspicion.

generating skepticism

Highlights the creation of a general feeling of doubt or disbelief.

provoking wariness

Focuses on the act of causing a cautious or guarded attitude.

stirring unease

Emphasizes the creation of a feeling of discomfort or anxiety, linked to suspicion.

causing apprehension

Highlights the feeling of anxiety or fear that arises due to suspicion.

prompting misgivings

Focuses on the act of causing feelings of doubt or uncertainty about something.

FAQs

How can I use "attracting suspicion" in a sentence?

You can use "attracting suspicion" to describe actions or behaviors that cause others to become wary or doubtful. For example: "His constant whispering was attracting suspicion from his colleagues."

What are some alternatives to "attracting suspicion"?

Some alternatives include "raising eyebrows", "arousing mistrust", or "drawing scrutiny", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something is "attracting suspicion"?

It means that something is causing people to feel doubtful, wary, or distrustful. It suggests that there is something about the situation that is causing concern or unease.

How is "attracting suspicion" different from "raising concerns"?

"Attracting suspicion" implies a sense of distrust or potential wrongdoing, while "raising concerns" simply suggests that there are issues or problems that need to be addressed. "Attracting suspicion" is a stronger, more negative term.