be skeptical that

USAGE SUMMARY

"be skeptical that" is absolutely correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express doubt or distrust about a particular situation. Example: Be skeptical that the new potential investor is going to provide the necessary funds for the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There's reason to be skeptical that Congress will succeed in fine-tuning all of this.

The New York Times

Democrats tend to be skeptical that dispersed consumers can get enough information to make smart decisions.

The New York Times

There is reason to be skeptical that we can build more support for taxation.

The New York Times

But until corporate profits grow, some investors will be skeptical that stocks will advance.

The New York Times

Putin would probably be skeptical that U.S. spy agencies face any such constraint.

The Washington Post

There are reasons to be skeptical that the Party has really turned a corner on its chronic obstructionism.

The New Yorker

Ms. Harris noted that her group continued "to be skeptical" that officials at the Justice Department would prioritize the issue.

The New York Times

There are obvious reasons to be skeptical that a bipartisan fix for Obamacare could ever pass Congress.

The New Yorker

But recent history offers reason to be skeptical that focusing entirely on pricing would make its achievement any more likely.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I'm skeptical that it's possible.

The New York Times

People were skeptical that forecasting could work.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be skeptical that", clearly state the reason for your skepticism to strengthen your argument and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "be skeptical that" without explaining why. Provide specific evidence or reasoning to support your skepticism and make your point more persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be skeptical that" functions as a qualifying expression, indicating doubt or a questioning attitude towards a statement or proposition. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it introduces a reservation or a critical perspective. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be skeptical that" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey doubt or a questioning attitude. According to Ludwig, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. It is primarily found in "News & Media" and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide specific reasons for your skepticism to enhance clarity and persuasiveness. Alternatives include "be dubious that" and "be unconvinced that". Remember to support your skepticism with evidence to avoid vague statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be dubious that

Expresses a similar sense of doubt, but might imply a slightly stronger disbelief.

be doubtful that

Similar to "be skeptical that", but can also express a smaller degree of disbelief.

be unconvinced that

Emphasizes a lack of persuasion or belief.

be cynical that

Suggests a more negative and distrustful attitude.

be suspicious that

Implies a belief that something is wrong or dishonest.

be questionable that

Highlights the uncertainty or dubiousness of something.

be uncertain that

Indicates a lack of sureness or conviction.

be wary that

Suggests caution and a need to be on guard.

be critical that

Focuses on evaluating something negatively.

question whether

Involves raising doubts about the validity or truth of something.

FAQs

How can I use "be skeptical that" in a sentence?

Use "be skeptical that" to express doubt or disbelief about a claim or situation. For example, "I be skeptical that the company's promises will materialize given their past performance."

What are some alternatives to "be skeptical that"?

You can use alternatives like "be dubious that", "be uncertain that", or "be unconvinced that" to express similar sentiments.

Is "be skeptical that" formal or informal?

"Be skeptical that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though its usage is more common in analytical or critical discussions.

What does it mean to "be skeptical that" something is true?

To "be skeptical that" something is true means to doubt or question the validity of a particular claim, statement, or situation, often requiring evidence before accepting it.