begin to suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

"begin to suspect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of starting to have doubts or to become suspicious. For example: "As the days passed, Sarah began to suspect that her husband was cheating on her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People will begin to suspect".

The New Yorker

You begin to suspect it's the latter.

The New York Times - Travel

You begin to suspect that Mr. Persons hates humanity.

The New York Times

Before long, I begin to suspect he's actually just bored.

The Guardian - Music

I begin to suspect that I've been slipped some acid.

The Guardian - Opinion

A reader may begin to suspect the reason.

The New York Times - Books

But soon the women begin to suspect that a real killer may be on board.

The New York Times - Arts

Only in theory do we begin to suspect the power of aesthetics to shape our lives.

The New Yorker

And so perhaps you begin to suspect that your people data can't be trusted.

Harvard Business Review

But how long is it before they begin to suspect Will?

The Guardian

Only when the workmen fell violently sick did they begin to suspect foul play.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin to suspect" to express a gradual development of doubt or suspicion, rather than a sudden realization. It is most effective when the evidence is accumulating over time.

Common error

While "begin to suspect" is acceptable in many situations, consider using more formal alternatives like "one might infer" or "it could be surmised" in academic or highly professional writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin to suspect" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a feeling or belief, specifically doubt or suspicion. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showing examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin to suspect" is a versatile verb phrase used to express the initial development of doubt or suspicion. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider more formal alternatives for academic or professional writing. Related phrases like "start to doubt" or "become suspicious of" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. The phrase’s frequent occurrence underscores its importance in expressing the gradual emergence of uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become suspicious of

More direct and active in expressing the feeling of suspicion.

start to doubt

Focuses more on the feeling of uncertainty rather than suspicion.

grow wary of

Implies increasing caution and distrust towards something or someone.

start to wonder

Implies curiosity and questioning rather than direct suspicion.

it occurs to someone that

Highlights the emergence of an idea, potentially a suspicion.

it dawns on someone that

Suggests a sudden realization, which could be related to suspicion.

get the impression that

Indicates a feeling based on observation or indirect evidence.

form an opinion that

Emphasizes the development of a reasoned judgment, which may or may not involve suspicion.

get a sense that

Indicates a vague feeling or intuition, not necessarily leading to suspicion.

start to believe

Suggests an initial shift towards acceptance or trust, the opposite of suspicion.

FAQs

How can I use "begin to suspect" in a sentence?

You can use "begin to suspect" to indicate the start of a feeling of doubt or suspicion, as in "After noticing several inconsistencies, I "begin to suspect" foul play".

What are some alternatives to "begin to suspect"?

Alternatives include "start to doubt", "become suspicious of", or "grow wary of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "begin to suspect" or "start suspecting"?

"Begin to suspect" emphasizes the gradual onset of suspicion, while "start suspecting" can imply a more immediate shift. Both are grammatically correct, but the best choice depends on the context.

What does it mean when someone says "I began to suspect"?

It means the person started to have doubts or suspicions about something or someone, often based on emerging evidence or observations.