became skeptical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became skeptical" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a change in attitude or belief, particularly when someone starts to doubt or question something they previously accepted. Example: "After hearing the conflicting reports, she became skeptical about the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Then Dunning became skeptical.

The New Yorker

She became skeptical of how useful it would be to develop yet another device like this.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He became skeptical of his own earlier, more strictly modular thesis of the brain.

The New Yorker

Mr. Shelby, also 68, remembers the moment when he first became skeptical of the C.I.A.

The New York Times

Mr. Browne was among several reporters who became skeptical of the American effort to prop up the Saigon government.

The New York Times

And you talk about how Deloitte became skeptical of performance rankings, and how Microsoft eventually abandoned its stack ranking system.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

A6 Some soldiers have become skeptical about their peacekeeping role.

The New York Times

Most lenders have become skeptical about real estate and are increasingly refusing to finance speculative projects.

The New York Times

The overproduction is a breach of faith with the audience, and they have become skeptical.

The New York Times

For their part, the Israelis have become skeptical of Mr. Abbas's intentions.

The New York Times

The case enables students to become skeptical consumers of evidence and to seek rigorous answers to important policy questions.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became skeptical" to clearly indicate a change in someone's belief or attitude, specifically when they begin to doubt something previously accepted. For example, "After reviewing the evidence, the jury became skeptical of the witness's testimony."

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone "became skeptical" without explaining why they became skeptical. Provide the reason or event that led to the change in belief to make your writing more informative and persuasive. Instead of: "He became skeptical." Try: "He became skeptical after the company announced lower than expected earnings."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became skeptical" functions as a verb phrase indicating a transition into a state of doubt or disbelief. It specifies a change in attitude, as Ludwig shows through its numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

23%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became skeptical" effectively conveys a transition into a state of doubt or questioning. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and general discourse. Usage guidance emphasizes the importance of providing context for why the shift to skepticism occurred. Alternatives include "grew doubtful" or "started to question". Overall, "became skeptical" is a reliable and versatile way to express a change in belief or attitude. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is widely used and understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began to doubt

Focuses on the commencement of uncertainty.

grew doubtful

Emphasizes a gradual increase in doubt.

became unconvinced

Highlights a failure to be persuaded or convinced.

turned dubious

Suggests a shift towards a more uncertain or doubtful perspective.

became wary

Implies a cautious or guarded attitude due to suspicion or uncertainty.

started to question

Highlights the initiation of the questioning process.

felt uncertain

Emphasizes the emotional experience of doubt.

developed reservations

Implies the formation of concerns or hesitations.

lost faith

Indicates a complete or significant reduction in trust or belief.

took a dim view

Expresses a negative or pessimistic outlook.

FAQs

How can I use "became skeptical" in a sentence?

Use "became skeptical" to show a shift in belief towards doubt. For example: "Initially supportive, she "became skeptical" after new evidence surfaced."

What's a more formal alternative to "became skeptical"?

A more formal alternative is "grew doubtful" or "developed reservations". For instance: "The board "developed reservations" about the proposed merger after the financial analysis."

Is it better to say "was skeptical" or "became skeptical"?

"Was skeptical" indicates a pre-existing state of doubt, while "became skeptical" indicates a change of mind. Use "was skeptical" when describing someone who always had doubts, and "became skeptical" when describing someone whose doubts emerged later.

What are some nuances between "became skeptical" and "became suspicious"?

"Became skeptical" implies a reasoned doubt, often based on evidence, whereas "became suspicious" suggests distrust or a belief that something is wrong, often without concrete evidence. For example, one might become skeptical of a scientific claim based on flawed data, but become suspicious of a neighbor who acts secretively.