be doubted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be doubted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express that something is subject to skepticism or disbelief. Example: "His claims about the discovery of a new species can certainly be doubted by experts in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However misguided, its conviction cannot be doubted.

The New York Times

On that, their sincerity cannot be doubted.

The New Yorker

Shaw's genius cannot be doubted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such accusations are not to be doubted.

The New York Times

The Saudi capacity for mischief is never to be doubted.

The New York Times

But in reality, the markers of class cannot be doubted.

The Guardian - Opinion

At least their resolve is never to be doubted.

The Guardian - Sport

True or not, Canelo's class cannot be doubted.

The Guardian - Sport

But what cannot be doubted is the suffering itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet his love, possessive as it is, cannot be doubted.

The Guardian - Arts

"But the purposes of the United States should not be doubted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be doubted" to express uncertainty or skepticism about a statement, claim, or belief. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being questioned.

Common error

Avoid using "be doubted" when you mean to express your own doubt directly. Instead of saying "I be doubted his story", say "I doubted his story" or "I found his story doubtful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be doubted" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action of doubting. As per Ludwig AI, this construction is deemed correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be doubted" is a versatile passive construction used to express uncertainty or skepticism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across a range of formal and neutral contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While alternatives like ""be questioned"" or ""be challenged"" exist, "be doubted" effectively conveys the notion of something being subject to questioning or disbelief, so understanding its correct usage can enhance clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be questioned

Emphasizes the act of asking about the validity or truth of something.

be open to doubt

Implies that something is not certain and can be doubted.

be challenged

Highlights the act of disputing or contesting a claim or statement.

be disputed

Focuses on the existence of disagreement or debate surrounding something.

be called into question

Indicates that something's validity or reliability is being examined and possibly doubted.

be viewed with skepticism

Highlights the presence of a doubting or questioning attitude towards something.

be regarded with suspicion

Suggests a stronger sense of doubt and mistrust.

be uncertain

Indicates a lack of sureness or confidence.

be considered dubious

Expresses doubt about the honesty or reliability of something.

be treated with reservation

Suggests a cautious approach due to uncertainty or doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "be doubted" in a sentence?

Use "be doubted" to express that something is being questioned or considered uncertain. For example, "His claims about the discovery can "be doubted" by experts".

What are some alternatives to "be doubted"?

Alternatives include "be questioned", "be challenged", or "be disputed". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is doubted" or "be doubted"?

"Is doubted" and "be doubted" are both grammatically correct but used in different contexts. "Is doubted" is used in the simple present passive tense, while "be doubted" is often used with modal verbs (e.g., can, could, might) or in infinitives. For example, "His sincerity is doubted" versus "His sincerity might "be doubted"".

What does it mean when something "cannot be doubted"?

When something "cannot "be doubted"", it means it's considered to be unquestionably true or certain. It's a strong affirmation of validity or reliability.